Media Coverage
Institute of Community Directors Australia; 29 May, 2025
As much as $4.5 billion worth of brand-new, unsold goods that could help disadvantaged Australians, is instead going to waste every year, according to a new report.
Commissioned by charity Good360 Australia, the Deloitte Access Economics study found the amount of unsold retail goods wasted in Australia has risen by 17 per cent since 2021 to $2.9 billion per year.
The rise of online shopping returns has supercharged this amount by a further $1.5 billion, taking the total amount of wasted goods to $4.5 billion.
Good360 founder and managing director Alison Covington said of particular concern was the increase in wastage of personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies and infant products which has surged 33 per cent in just three years.
She said recent Good360 research revealed that 82 per cent of charities and disadvantaged schools across Australia report unprecedented demand for essential items, indicating the impact they could make to the lives of those in need.
Read the full article and listen to Alison Covington in the Community Advocate podcast here.
Read the Deloitte Access Economics Report: 2025 Update here.
