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LivingOn - Our Sustainability Program
Born in 2008, LivingOn is our sustainability program. The values that underpin LivingOn have shaped the way our business has grown, and our award-winning approach to sustainability has set a benchmark for our industry.
The LivingOn program began in 2008 with a recognition that our commitment to sustainability needed to be bigger than supplying product that met certain industry standards. We realised that we had a responsibility to the planet and its people to be a sustainable company in our own right, and that doing so could give our business an edge and even help to transform our industry.
Since 2008, the LivingOn program has evolved to focus on environmental, social, and economic issues in line with the ‘triple bottom line’ of people, planet, and prosperity.
We believe that our business can be a force for good. As a Certified B Corp, we’re part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact
Living Edge is a Certified B Corporation
B stands for Benefit for all
Living Edge became a Certified B Corp in May 2023. Becoming a B Corp was an important moment in our company’s history; it marked the culmination of 15 years of work and impact through our LivingOn sustainability program, and the start of a new journey as a member of global movement. We’re seeking to change our economic system to positively impact all stakeholders – our team members, communities, customers, and our planet. Achieving B Corp Certification also provides a valuable validation that we are on the right path to building a truly sustainable and socially responsible business.
Learn More about B Corp
Click here to find out more about the B Corp movement and the results of our B Impact Assessment.
The LivingOn Philosophy
Furniture for Life - Products designed and made to last a lifetime.
We choose to supply high quality furniture that’s designed to be passed down from generation to generation. We are committed to enabling the repair, re-use, remanufacturing, and resale of products to maximise their lifespan.
Live Responsibly - Understanding our impact and taking responsibility for our actions.
We recognise that our activities create environmental, social, and economic impacts throughout our value chain. We pledge to act responsibly, minimise the negative impact of our activities, and maximise positive outcomes.
Think Circular - Making our business more circular.
We strive to be a leader in the future circular economy in Australia. We are passionate advocates for the benefits of the circular economy and its potential to create a paradigm shift in the way we consume furniture products.
Thinking Circular
At Living Edge, we believe the circular economy has the power to help tackle some of our industry’s biggest challenges, and we want to become a leader in circularity in our market. We have defined three areas of focus that we believe will help us build a more circular business, they are: products fit for circularity, circular models of usership and ownership, and circular end-of-life pathways.
Relive
Relive is a sustainability program that aims to create a second life for authentic, original, and sustainable furniture. Relive achieves this aim by enabling the reuse and resale of Living Edge products through a repair & refurbishment and a sales platform for pre-owned Relive products. Click here to learn out more about Relive and our hierarchy of end-of-life outcomes.
Lifecycle
Lifecycle is a circular procurement model developed by Living Edge to enable a more flexible and sustainable approach to furniture procurement. Lifecycle is delivered through a leasing model, allowing our customers to benefit from using our best-in-class products whilst Living Edge retains ownership of, and ultimately responsibility for, those assets. Lifecycle is based on the circular concept of usership over ownership.
Lifecycle includes a suite of integrated services that enhance the usership experience and enable Living Edge to deliver furniture-as-a-service. Through consultation, Living Edge can create a product service package that is tailored to your organisation’s specific needs and circumstances, all delivered through a simple monthly fee.
Most importantly, Lifecycle includes an inherent product stewardship commitment that focuses on keeping high-quality products in use for multiple lifecycles, before they are retired through sustainable end-of-life pathways.
Click here to find out more about Lifecycle.
What We've Achieved So Far
Emissions
- In 2009, Living Edge became the first Herman Miller dealer globally to quantify and offset the freight emissions generated from importing Herman Miller product.
- Living Edge has maintained carbon neutral operations since 2017. That means we quantify the scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions that are generated by our operations and offset them through the purchase of Verified Carbon Standard carbon credits. Our annual emissions inventory is verified by Pangolin Associates – a leading carbon & energy consultancy.
- We have introduced one hybrid and one fully electric vehicle to our light vehicle fleet and we plan to replace more ICE vehicles as they reach the end of their lease.
- We switched our energy supply to carbon neutral energy from Powershop at our Sydney and Melbourne showrooms in 2020 and we hope to make the switch in Brisbane and Perth soon.
Think Circular
- Since 2020, Living Edge has helped major organisations recondition and redeploy or resell over 12,500 Herman Miller task chairs approaching the end of their 12-year warranty.
- We estimate that this has diverted 234 tonnes of furniture from landfill and avoided 586 tonnes of CO2-e from raw material production if the chairs had been replaced.
- We have developed Lifecycle, an innovative furniture-as-a-service procurement that we believe is a first in Australia. Lifecycle includes an inherent product stewardship commitment.
- We have developed a sophisticated RFID asset management solution that enables our customers to track their assets through their lifecycle and access sustainable end-of-life pathways when they no longer need them.
Sustainable Products
- Our products are designed and made to last a lifetime – we prioritise value over cost.
- We work with our brand partners to ensure our core product lines are certified to GBCA recognised 3rd party environmental certification schemes.
- Our range also includes a wide range of products certified to indoor air quality and material health standards including SCS Indoor Advantage, GreenGuard, and Declare.
- We carry out supply chain due diligence to ensure all the timber we import into Australia is legally and responsibly sourced.
Waste & Recycling
- Our Living Without Waste program promotes recycling throughout our operations.
- In FY22 we recycled 69% of the waste generated across our operations and we are striving to increase this amount every year.
- Living Edge is a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, and we have introduced new 100% recyclable, paper-based carrier bags and shipping cartons.
Social & Wellbeing
- In April 2021, our Perth showroom became the first WELL Platinum certified fit-out in Western Australia.
- All our showrooms provide end-of-trip facilities to encourage active and sustainable commuting.
- During our Community Week in December 2022, our team volunteered with food charities across Australia to help prepare 1,600 meals and pack over 300 food hampers for those most in need at Christmas.
- Our charitable giving program donated $19,000 to good causes in 2022.
- We have introduced new employee benefits including access to a free Employee Assistance Program, 2 days of volunteer leave each year, and flexible working arrangements.
- Our LivingOn Crew help to organise engagement activities throughout the year focussed on international recognition days and health & wellness activities.
Governance
- ISO 9001 certified quality management system.
- ISO 14001 certified environmental management system.
- ISO 45001 certified occupational health & safety system.
- We undertake due diligence in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act (2018) to identify and address the risk of modern slavery occurring in our extended supply chain.
Living Edge Sustainability Report
View 2023 & 2024 Report
View 2020-21 Report
View 2019-20 Report
View 2018-19 Report
Our Commitment to Sustainable Packaging
Download our Australian Packaging Covenant Report
Living Edge is a Certified B Corporation. As a B Corp, we’re part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact.
Living Edge has maintained carbon neutral operations since 2017. We partner with Pangolin Associates, a leading energy and carbon management consultancy, to quantify, reduce and offset our emissions.
Living Edge is a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant.
Living Edge’s Perth showroom at 7 Queen Street has been awarded the first WELL Platinum certification in Western Australia.
Living Edge maintains ISO certified Quality, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems.
The Future of LivingOn
Emissions
- Make the switch to carbon neutral or green power energy contracts in Brisbane and Perth.
- Advocate and provide support for the installation of a solar power system at our new warehouse – due to come online in 2024/25.
- Replace remaining ICE light vehicles with zero emission vehicles.
- Launch a freight emissions calculator to help our team and our customers understand the emissions impact of air freight over sea freight.
Transparency & Sustainability Data
- Provide all our customers with access to transparent and meaningful product sustainability information on our website and in store.
- Integrate sustainability information into our product database to generate portfolio sustainability metrics to drive continuous improvement.
Think Circular
- Deliver Australia’s first furniture-as-a-service contract and use the project as a case study to promote the benefits of Product Service Systems
- Recover and resell >500 units of Relive second-life product in FY24 and increase volumes year-on-year.
- Launch a formal recycling program for Herman Miller task chairs in Australia.
Waste & Recycling
- Increase recycling rate to 80% across our operations.
- Trial compostable pallet wrap in our warehouse operations with the aim to replace traditional pallet wrap.
Social Responsibility
- Continue to engage our team through wellbeing activities, volunteering and fundraising opportunities, and employee support through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Develop and deliver a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan in FY24.
- Issue a new Supplier Code of Conduct that includes a Modern Slavery and Human Rights clause and map tiers 1 and 2 of our supply chain as extensively and transparently as possible.
Human Rights & Modern Slavery Policy
Living Edge is committed to conducting its business in an ethical, legal, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible manner. This includes supporting and upholding human rights and workers' rights and advancing the welfare of workers and the community.
Living Edge is committed to:
- respecting, promoting, and upholding internationally recognised labour rights in its operations and supply chain,
- promoting and supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces,
- acknowledging and respecting the internationally recognised human rights of Indigenous Peoples,
- providing workers with safe and healthy working conditions for the prevention of work-related injury and ill-health, and,
- carrying out the due diligence and remedial actions required to identify, assess, address, and monitor the risks of modern slavery practices or adverse human rights impacts occurring in its operations and supply chain.
Living Edge expects its suppliers and contractors to share this commitment to conducting business in an ethical, legal, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible manner, and we require our suppliers to adhere to the terms and conditions of our Living Edge Supplier Code of Conduct.
You can download a full copy of our Human Rights and Modern Slavery Policy.
Living Edge Confidential Whistle-blower Channel
This webform can be used to report incidents, concerns, or grievances that occur anywhere in Living Edge’s value chain directly to Living Edge senior management. This webform can be used by Living Edge employees, the employees of any Living Edge contractor, supplier, or sub-supplier, or any other stakeholder affected by Living Edge’s activities.
You can use this form to report concerns relating to health and safety, labour standards and human rights, criminal behaviour including bribery or fraud, environmental protection, quality standards, or any other issue you believe Living Edge management should be aware of.
This form can be submitted anonymously, and your report will be sent to Living Edge senior management through a confidential communication channel.
All Living Edge stakeholders have the right to report legitimate concerns without fear of retaliation or negative impact. We will take your report seriously and we will investigate it with urgency, care, and sensitivity.
Access the Living Edge Confidential Whiste-blower Webform by clicking here.
Living Edge acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.