Our impact in the circular economy

Giving new life to old goods and creating jobs along the way.

At Good Sammy Enterprises, we believe in using what we already have. Instead of throwing things away, we find ways to reuse, repair and recycle. That’s what the circular economy is all about — and it’s how we help the planet while creating local jobs.

What is the Circular Economy?

The circular economy is a way of using things for longer.

It means keeping goods in use by repairing, reusing, and recycling them — instead of making and throwing away.

This reduces waste and saves natural resources. At Good Sammy Enterprises, it also creates real jobs in sorting, warehousing, recycling, and retail.

What happens to your donation

When you donate to Good Sammy, your item goes through a smart process:

1. We sort it by hand to check for quality.

2. Good items go to our op shops.

3. Second-grade items are sent to our Factory Outlet or exported.

4. Worn-out items may become rags or be recycled through local partners.

5. If we can’t reuse or recycle something safely, it may need to go to landfill — but we do everything we can to avoid this.

Your donation might seem small, but it helps people learn skills, earn a wage, and protect the environment.

Yellow Bag collection

Our Yellow Bag program makes donating easy.

We partner with local councils across Perth, and their residents receive a yellow bag they can fill with clean clothes, shoes and accessories. We pick it up from their letterbox on collection day.

This helps keep textiles out of landfill and gives our supported team members meaningful work in collection and sorting.

[Learn more about Yellow Bag Collection] – page still being developed

Factory Outlet

Some items can’t be sold in regular op shops, but they still have value.

Our Canning Vale Factory Outlet sells clothes by the kilo and offers ultra-low prices on books, toys and homewares.

It’s a fun treasure hunt — and it keeps more items in circulation while providing job opportunities in sorting, pricing and customer service.

Explore the Factory Outlet

Responsible exports

We can’t sell everything locally — so we work with accredited export partners to send surplus clothing, shoes and bags overseas.

Everything is sorted into over 200 categories to ensure items are reused or recycled responsibly.

We only export to partners who meet strict social and environmental standards. This keeps more clothes out of landfill and supports reuse in global markets.

More on our export process

Recycling and repurposing

We work with specialist partners to recycle:

• Plastics, metals and e-waste

• Unsellable books and textiles

• Damaged or stained items turned into rags or stuffing

We also repair, wash and repackage some goods to give them a second chance. Every part of this process creates jobs — and keeps useful materials out of landfill.

Containers for Change

We’re WA’s largest operator in the Containers for Change program.

You get 10 cents for every eligible drink container returned — and Good Sammy receives an extra 7 cents to help fund job creation and training.

In one year, we helped recycle over 52 million containers. It’s a simple way for the whole community to support people and the planet.

Find your nearest refund point

Why It Matters

The circular economy is about more than just recycling — it’s about doing better with what we have. By donating, shopping second-hand, or returning containers, you help:

• Reduce waste

• Conserve resources

• Create inclusive jobs

• Build a more sustainable future

Let’s work together to make second-hand your first choice — for people, for the planet, and for a stronger community.