What is the Circular Economy — and why it matters to Good Sammy
The circular economy is a powerful approach to reducing waste and protecting the environment — and it’s central to how Good Sammy creates both social and environmental impact.
What is the Circular Economy?
Rather than following the old “take, make, dispose” model, the circular economy keeps resources in use for as long as possible. It’s about designing waste out of the system, by keeping items in circulation for as long as possible. Reuse, through stores like Good Sammy, is a critical part of that circular economy. In addition, it’s about manufacturers designing products that last, can be repaired or upgraded, and can be broken down for reuse or recycling.
As our Circular Economy Coordinator, Janelle, explains:
“Too many products are made to be thrown away. The circular economy is about changing that — by making items durable, not disposable.”
How we support the Circular Economy
1. Giving pre-loved goods a second life
We collect, sort, and sell quality second-hand goods through our op shops. Every donation helps keep materials in circulation rather than sending them to landfill. Shoppers can find affordable, high-quality clothing, furniture, homewares and more — giving each item a longer life.
2. Recycling and resource recovery
Not every donation can be sold, but that doesn’t mean it goes to waste. We actively repurpose textiles, electronics, and other materials through a network of recycling partners.
As Janelle puts it:
“If things aren’t store-grade, we look for other markets. Some lower-grade clothing and surplus department store stock go to our Outlet store.”
For items that can’t be reused, we partner with specialists to recover as much material as possible:
- Plastics go to Claw Environmental
- Metal is sorted by AAA Metal Recycling and Martin Metals
- Electronics are dismantled by Total Green Recycling
- Mattresses are repurposed through social enterprise Soft Landing
- Cardboard is handled by Remondis
- Books have their covers removed and are processed by Veolia
These partnerships help us support a closed-loop system — where waste becomes a resource — and ensure as much as possible is reused, recycled, or reimagined.
3. Containers for Change
As Western Australia’s largest Containers for Change network operator, we help reduce plastic, aluminium and glass drink container waste while creating positive community outcomes. When customers return eligible drink containers, they receive a 10-cent refund — and we receive an additional 7 cents per container as the operator, which supports our employment and training programs for people with disabilities.
In the 2023–2024 year alone, we recycled more than 52 million containers — a powerful reminder that small everyday actions can create lasting impact.
4. Extending the life of fashion
We actively fight fast fashion by encouraging second-hand shopping, upcycling, and mindful donation. Choosing pre-loved clothing reduces carbon emissions and supports more ethical consumption.
Janelle notes:
“Clothing today is often made just for a season — it falls apart quickly. But consumers also have a choice about selecting durable, timeless and versatile styles. Once the first owner has finished with it, it can then be reused.”
We also partner with universities and TAFEs to educate future fashion and design professionals. By helping students understand fibre types, quality, and recyclability, we’re influencing design choices that support circularity.
5. Creating local jobs
The circular economy isn’t just good for the planet — it creates real jobs. Through our retail, logistics, recycling, and resource recovery operations, we provide employment and training for people with disabilities across WA.
Why it matters
The circular economy helps us:
Cut waste and pollution
Conserve natural resources
Make sustainable goods affordable
Create inclusive jobs
Encourage ethical consumption
Be part of the change
Whether you donate, shop second-hand, or drop off containers, you’re helping us build a more sustainable future — and creating opportunities for people with disabilities.
Visit your local Good Sammy op shop or Containers for Change refund point today. Together, let’s make second-hand your first choice.
Photo credit: Alexandra Casey 2025
