New research commissioned by charity Good360 Australia shows that as community need grows, so does the availability of new unused goods.
A new Deloitte Access Economics analysis, commissioned by Good360 Australia, reveals that nearly $4.5 billion worth of new, unsold consumer goods are wasted every year, reinforcing the huge opportunity for connecting surplus essential items to people in need.
The report shows that the value of unsold retail goods wasted in Australia has risen by 17% since 2021 and now sits at a staggering $2.9 billion per year. The rise of online shopping returns is adding even more to the volume of goods wasted (more than $1.5 billion), taking the total estimate for new, unsold goods potentially heading to landfill in Australia each year to nearly $4.5 billion.
Toiletries, cleaning supplies and infant supplies have seen the most significant growth, with estimated waste growing 33% from 2021 to 2024 in nominal terms. Many of these goods are urgently needed, with recent Good360 research revealing that 82% of charities and disadvantaged schools across Australia say demand for essential items such as hygiene products, clothing, furniture and education supplies has never been higher.
The report’s release comes as Good360 Australia marks its 10th anniversary, having spent the past decade connecting unsold goods donated by businesses to people in need Australia-wide via a national network of over 4,800 charities and disadvantaged schools. Since 2015, Good360 has redistributed over 43.7 million brand-new items, helping over 4.8 million people and avoiding 7,616 tonnes of waste.
“Over the last ten years, we are proud to have connected $500 million worth of unsold goods to people in Australia doing it tough,” said Good360 Australia Founder and Managing Director Alison Covington AM. “This includes everyday brand-new essentials that have restored dignity, brought relief and given hope to our most vulnerable. We thank everyone who has been on this journey with us, including our retail partners, supporters and funders, and our charity and school member network across Australia.”
Covington said the report shows much more can be done. As Good360 successfully grows to solve the problem of wasted new goods, the opportunity to do more keeps growing too. She is seeing rising levels of waste on one side, and record levels of need on the other.
“Good360 offers a smart, proven and efficient way to reduce both need and waste across Australia and deliver real value for businesses and communities, and we’re excited to be embarking on a new phase of even greater ambition and impact,” she noted.
The report’s release and Good360’s 10th anniversary also coincide with the appointment of James Atkins as the new chair. An experienced chair and strategy advisor, Atkins brings deep experience in scaling purpose-led organisations and digital marketplaces.
“With more than one in eight Australians living in poverty, we must connect goods with people in need,” Atkins said. “Too many families are going without the essential items needed for a safe home, for hygiene and dignity, for education and work, and for play, sport and creativity. This is not just about reducing landfill. It’s about lifting lives.”
According to Atkins, retailers are also grappling with the growing and often hidden costs of unsold stock. This is both a commercial and a social issue. Good360 offers a solution that transforms this challenge into a strategic advantage, with real and measurable outcomes for people and our planet.
“We know how to do this. We have the partnerships, the model and the platform. Now, with collective action and renewed investment, we can step up to meet this moment and ensure Australia’s surplus serves its highest purpose: supporting people in need, Australia-wide. Our goal for 2030 is to grow from delivering $500 million of new goods over ten years, to delivering $500 million every single year,” he emphasised.
As part of marking 10 years of impact, Good360 Australia is calling on more retailers, brands and businesses to be part of the solution – reducing need and waste, while also reducing costs.
“To businesses who haven’t yet worked with us, now is the time. Please reach out, connect with us and see how we can help. If your business is holding onto aged inventory, returns or unsold stock, items that are costing you money to store or discard, please partner with us. We’ll make sure they go to people who need them, right across the country,” Atkins said.
The report also highlights the important role that governments can play in unlocking large-scale solutions.
“There is a clear opportunity for governments to support the scaling of efficient delivery of non-food aid, just as they have done successfully in the food waste sector. It’s smart, non-inflationary and good for people and our planet,” Atkins explained. “By working together, we can reduce waste and need, lower costs and create a more prosperous and thriving country.”
Read also: Millions of Australians find cost-of-living crisis worse than last year
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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