Leading Australian entity, Winning Group has been acknowledged in the 2024 Australian Financial Review (AFR) Sustainable Leaders List, in association with Boston Consulting Group. The Winning Group’s free removal & recycling program for appliances, mattresses and product packaging that it offers customers through Appliances Online, Winnings and Andoo and provided by its logistics business Winning Services, was recognised as the category winner for Retail, Hospitality, Tourism & Entertainment. The AFR Sustainable Leaders List celebrates Australian companies that are making real progress in tackling sustainability and delivering business value along the way. Through the free removal and recycling program, the Winning Group has helped:

• Customers recycle more than 80,000 tonnes of electronics and appliances since 2005 - industry benchmarking indicates that the Group is the largest retail collector of e-waste in Australia

• Achieve up to 75% recycling of mattress materials and up to 85% recycling of packaging materials

John Winning, CEO, Winning Group commented, “We are extremely honoured to be acknowledged as a sustainability leader by the Australian Financial Review, by receiving recognition for our free recycling and removal program. Since 2005, we have pioneered a free and convenient solution in the electronics retail industry through the take-back of appliances. We have since expanded this program through our reverse logistics, to offer the largest national and free take-back and recycling scheme of appliances, mattresses and product packaging. Our innovation provides value to our customers as it's a free and convenient solution, demonstrated by our world-leading Net Promoter Score of over 80.

“As a century-old, fourth generation family business we have continually adapted and innovated to create better experiences for our customers today and into the future. We recognise our responsibility to mitigate any harmful and negative, social and environmental impacts, which occur as a result of our business activities. We want to use our business ecosystem as a force for good and our commitment to sustainability sits at the core of our mission to create the best experiences in the world, for the world - for our customers, our people, our communities and the planet”, said Mr Winning.

Alice Kuepper, Head of Sustainable Business and CSR, Winning Group stated, “We are proud to be recognised in the AFR Sustainability Leaders List, demonstrating how sustainability delivers benefits for business, consumers and the environment. We have implemented a comprehensive removal and recycling solution for appliances, mattresses and packaging to reduce their environmental impacts. With no kerbside recycling options for appliances, mattresses, soft plastics and EPS waste, our program helps keep our communities clean and prevents hazardous toxins from e-waste leaking into the environment. Our program and its recognition demonstrates how a business taking responsibility can have an impact, particularly as industry and Government are increasing their focus on product and packaging stewardship schemes. “While we are proud of our achievements and believe we can create meaningful impact within our ecosystem and industry, we acknowledge that we are only at the start of our sustainability journey. We are committed to continuing to innovate new solutions and to influence changes in our industry, and customer behaviours, by creating awareness on social and environmental issues”, said Mrs Kuepper.

The Winning Group’s Sustainability Strategy and Sustainability Progress Report can be found here.

The Australian Financial Review Sustainability Leaders list is assessed using Boston Consulting Group’s proprietary Sustainable Business Model Innovation (SBM-I) methodology. The methodology, which incorporates both qualitative and quantitative elements, assesses innovations based on value delivered (environmental, societal and business benefits) and leadership and impact (business model change and market impact).