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9.0 Sustainability and
Environment
The Salvation Army aims to fulfill its mission in a way that is mindful of the environment in which it operates. Team members are encouraged to recycle when possible, make use of paperless communications and to consider the impact on the environment in daily operations. The most significant sustainability effort of The Salvation Army comes through the reuse and recycling undertaken through the Salvos Stores network. As part of the Salvos Stores strategic plan for 2010 to 2013, specific strategies are underway to address waste minimisation and environmental sustainability. These strategies include engaging government, business and the community in waste minimisation issues and identifing and implementing cost effective sustainability initiatives. In October of this year, Salvos Stores introduced a new public initiative, “Buy Nothing New in October,� which encouraged the community not to purchase anything new and look to extend the life cycle of goods as well as understanding the embedded cost and resources that go into the purchase of new goods.
As well as encouraging people to consider ways their possessions can be reused or donated for someone else to use, Salvos Stores are also introducing sustainability reporting and measures to quantify and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Sustainability Manager at Salvos Stores plays a leading role in developing ways it can undertake business in harmony with protecting the environment. For more information about Salvos Stores visit www.salvationarmy.org.au/salvosstores
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