environment and sustainability

sustainability with kaboodle

As one of Australia’s largest national suppliers of kitchen cabinetry, we are conscious of our environmental impact and are taking action towards building a more sustainable future.

To achieve this, we have implemented improvements within our operations, work with third party organisations and are a member of associations dedicated to improving sustainability. As a member of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), we are actively working to improve the sustainability of our packaging, and that of our supply chain partners. The most recent APCO report on kaboodle’s operation can be found here and our 2020 report here. Our targets are aligned with Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets.

We are currently investigating, reviewing and implementing initiatives with tangible and positive environmental impacts, guided by a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle framework. Beyond this, we also ensure that our products are built with responsibly sourced timber.

reduce

We have been working internally and with suppliers to reduce waste created from normal operation. These reductions have been focussed on packaging, transport and energy consumption including the following activities:

• reduction in power usage
  The introduction of LED lighting, which is only used to supplement natural light, has reduced energy use in warehouses.
• reduction in Polystyrene use
  Honeycomb cardboard packaging has been used to replace polystyrene throughout 99% of our products.
• reduction in use of pallets
  Floor loading has been implemented in over 95% of our inbound containers, greatly reducing the need for pallets.

re-use

Where waste and packaging aren’t able to be reduced, we’ve implemented programs to re-purpose those items for another use. These programs include:

• re-use of pallets
  When damaged pallets are returned, we have a dedicated operation to repair them and return them into circulation, reducing waste in the purchase of new pallets.
• repurposing of cardboard packaging
  Excess cardboard or waste cardboard is re-purposed in packing products on pallets for deliveries to eliminate the need for extra packaging materials.

recycle

Throughout our operations, we have implemented a number of processes and partnerships with third parties to recycle materials that can’t be reduced or re-used, including:

• pallets
  Any pallets that can’t be repaired or re-used are sent to be shredded and used as chip bark for gardens.
• cardboard
  All cardboard in our warehouses is recycled.
• plastic
  Shrinkwrap plastic is shredded and recycled to make products such as wheelie bins.
• vinyl
  Vinyl offcuts are recycled into new products
• packaging
  We’re working toward 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging.
• closed loop
  Working towards a closed-loop initiative with packaging and waste.

sustainable timber

Along with enhancing the sustainability of our own operations, we are also ensuring that our products are made from sustainably harvested sources. These activities help us work towards creating a sustainable future, minimising our environmental footprint.

Our sustainable sourcing activities involve:

• Our Australian benchtop timber being sustainably sourced as per AS4707 Chain of Custody for Forest Based Products.
• Our cabinet carcasses and laminate benchtops use timber from official and compliant harvesting operations as per the Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition legislation.

recycling beyond kaboodle

Whilst creating more environmentally friendly activities within kaboodle’s operations, our products still need to be packaged securely and sent to our customers. To assist you in knowing what and how to recycle product packaging, we are implementing the new Australian Recycling Label (ARL) program which will clearly and simply outline how to dispose of each type of packaging.