Sustainable Transformation

Did you know that you could get paid for your trash? You read that right - in some states in Australia you can redeem a cash incentive when you responsibly recycle eligible bottles and containers.    And, they’ll collect it from your door!    In this week’s episode, Kiarne Treacy speaks with Narelle Anderson , Founder at Envirobank Recycling , and explores her journ...

In this episode, Kiarne sits down with Marcel Sieira , Chief Operating Officer at GS1 Australia , for a fascinating conversation about the humble barcode. Yes, you read that right! They discuss how the barcodes we scan on everyday products might be the most powerful tool on earth for complete and precise tracking and traceability. Learn about the global rollout of 2D barcodes—the first evolu...

Think sustainability challenges are complex in your business? Now, imagine doing it on a global scale when the products you’re producing are quite literally, life and death ! In this season-opener, Kiarne sits down with Catherine Stribley and Artha Salgado from Ansell Healthcare who represent the two sides of sustainability—human and environmental impact—at Ansell. Catherine has...

Did you know that your average Aussie consumes 1.83 kilograms of coffee per year? Or that Australians sip over 1 billion cups of coffee outside of home annually?    Melbourne, in particular, boasts the highest number of cafes per capita in the world, maintaining its position as a coffee-hub of the globe. With 91% of adults in Australia enjoying coffee regularly and over 56,000 people employed in t...

  The beauty industry has a dirty secret—it’s probably already in your bloodstream.  This was the revelation that left Kiarne stunned during her conversation with Runway Room Founder and CEO, Alex Fevola . In 2012, Alex recognised a gap in the market for a beauty salon that offered reliable, high-quality hair and makeup services for everyone—not just the rich and famous.  During this journey, she...

What does a 30-year career at Visy  ‘growing up’ under the leadership of the Pratt family do to a person?  In this episode, Kiarne sits down with Gus Carfi , the Executive Chairman at Polar Enviro to find out. Gus shares anecdotes of working for Visy and Richard Pratt, growing into the role of COO and how that has shaped not only his business but also his vision for the future.  Polar Enviro has a...

Want to know how one of Australia’s largest retailers hit their 100% renewable energy target in 2024?  Kicking off Season 3 with a bang, Kiarne sits down with Fiona Lawrie , Head of Corporate Affairs and ESG at Officeworks to break down the enormous responsibility major retailers have to shift consumer behaviours and exactly what Officworks is doing about it.  As businesses across the country face...

Did you know that in an average Australian household, 32% of energy is used for heating and cooling, 27% for water heating, and 22% for appliances and lighting? ( Source: State of the Energy Market 2023 ).    In an industry that is constantly evolving and at a time when the cost of living is on top of everyone’s mind,  consumers are looking for ways to keep their energy costs down and reduce their...

Are you seeing the Certified B Corporation stamp popping up on your social channels, or on the products you’re buying? Well, that’s no surprise! As of February 2024 there are over 8,000 Certified B Corporations across 162 industries and 96 countries, with 750 of those belonging to Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand businesses. ( Source ).   So who is undertaking the monumental task to review, ass...

In Australia, the transport sector makes up 19% of emissions, with the projection to become the largest producer of emissions by 2030. ( Source ). Fortunately, Team Global Express - formally known as Toll Global Express - has committed to tackling decarbonisation and improving sustainable development  for the entire business. With an ambitious goal of becoming the most sustainable transport and lo...

$2.5 billion worth of brand-new excess goods end up wasted or landfilled in Australia every year, according to Deloitte Access Economics. To put this statistic into perspective, if this waste were a company, it would be the 6th largest retailer by market capital in Australia. ( Source ).   Luckily, Good360 Australia is one of the front liners leading the charge in connecting surplus goods of busin...

By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will live in cities. So, what happens when these cities are affected by extreme weather events? Who’s responsible for ensuring we can adapt to changing conditions and  become resilient in the midst of climate change? This week,  Kiarne sits down with Co-Chief Heat Officers, and Co-Directors of the City of Melbourne’s (COM) Climate Change and City Resilience B...

Did you know that using AI to generate a single image can use up as much energy as charging a smartphone? Or that some tech companies employ low-paid workers, including prisoners, to filter AI content? Behold, the hidden perils of AI. With innovation, always comes risk. AI is no exception. So this week, I’m unpacking the ecological, security, and ethical risks of AI use. Plus, what many organisati...

Circularity is not just a buzzword but one of the most important aspects of sustainable development in businesses and communities. This week, we’re joined by Sustainability Victoria’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Genever who gives us a deeper dive into the topic of circular economies and shares his insights into what Sustainability Victoria is doing to lead the charge.    As a career professional...

Experts say that we’ve entered the fifth industrial revolution. An age defined by the rapid rise of human-machine collaboration. At the very core of this, is AI. It’s new. It’s here. It’s everywhere. It’s our society’s newest, latest shiny toy. And the potential is enormous. So what exactly can AI do for the environment, and who’s been successful at putting it to good use? This week, the first of...

Ever found yourself opening the fridge, finding uneaten food that’s gone bad, and throwing it away? Do you feel that you might be doing this more than you should? You’re not alone. Statistics say the average Australian discards about 312 kilograms of food items every year. Collectively, food waste costs our national economy more than $36 billion per year, it contributes to 3% of our country’s gree...

Volvo Cars is setting the pace for electrification globally and even more so here locally with the ambition goal to be fully electric by 2026.   Join Kiarne as she sits down with Stephen Connor, the Managing Director of Volvo Car Australia, the local arm of a global automotive business that has had safety, sustainability, and environmental care at its core since day one.     Key Discussion Points:...

Circular economy, or circularity – you’d have to be living under a rock if you haven’t heard this term before. Statistics say that only less than 4% of Australia’s economy is circular. It means that every year, as we create products and services to help us live our lives, we use up heaps of natural resources, leave behind tonnes of waste, and deplete the environment around us. Transitioning to a c...

Packaging often gets a bad wrap when it comes to sustainability, it’s the first thing we see when we make a purchase and the first thing we throw away. The reality is that packaging is critical to life as we know it, it keeps food fresh, medicines safe and preserves products to ensure longevity and durability, so how can we reduce the waste?   In this spotlight episode, we talk about the state of...

In this episode, join Kiarne as she sits down with Chris Foley, CEO of APCO (the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation), as they dive into the evolving landscape of packaging regulations in Australia. As 2025 approaches, regulations are set to reshape how businesses approach design, manufacturing, and end-of-life of packaging and materials and this episode is essential listening for everyone...

Let’s face it – we’re currently living through a massive extinction event. Nature loss is rapidly happening all around us, at a rate of knots. It has even been flagged as one of the biggest long-term risks for businesses, by global forums and experts alike. But the good news is, there’s still plenty we can do, as business leaders, sustainability managers, policymakers, and clued-in consumers like...

In this episode, Kiarne chats with Elissa Foster. Having forged her career in sustainability for over 17 years at Patagonia, she is now the Global Head of Sustainability at Who Gives a Crap.   Elissa shares the challenges and triumphs of leading the company’s sustainability strategy, reducing overall impact and impacting global change for the better, all while the company is growing from strength...

This series is a must-listen for every  business leader or individual trying to  keep up with the ever-changing state of sustainability in Australian businesses.    The ACCC is cracking down on greenwashing, but do you really know what that means? The sustainability landscape is changing rapidly for businesses and everyone is trying to stay on top of it.    In this weeks episode, Kiarne will updat...

Everybody is talking about scope 3 emissions tracking and traceability in the supply chain, but what exactly does that mean for you? In this episode Kiarne is putting a spotlight on supplier engagement for a sustainable future and the need for strong relationships with supply chain partners.   The reality is that legislative changes happening both in Australia, and globally over the coming decade...

When it comes to sustainability, staying ahead of the curve is not just an option; it's a necessity.   In this episode of the Sustainable Transformation Podcast, Max Van Biene of Edge Impact unlocks the ever-evolving landscape for us! Whether you're a business leader, a sustainability champion, or simply someone who cares deeply about the future of our planet, tune in for expert insights in naviga...