About us
Sustainability
Values-driven: Schiavello has endeavoured to achieve exemplary sustainability practices throughout our extensive end-to-end design and manufacturing process since 1995.
Our initiatives – such as our Environmental Policy, array of independent accreditations and formalised reporting and continuous improvement strategies – view sustainability through a holistic and long term lens, considering ethical practices, environmental protection, social responsibility and footprint reduction in everything we touch: directly and indirectly.
For us, it's imperative all initiatives are genuine, actionable and make a real impact. Through the gradual and deliberate accomplishment of short-term goals, such as upgrading our company fleet to electric vehicles and powering our facilities with renewable energy sources, we aim to achieve Net Zero by 2038.
01
Circular Economy
Our Workplace Asset Renewal program.
At Schiavello we believe in applying the principles of the circular economy in the workplace. Shifting away from the linear take > make > waste model, towards a more sustainable regenerative loop that designs out waste and keeps resources in use.
When furniture ends up in landfill, businesses also lose the opportunity to reduce environmental impact, enhance social outcomes and maximise commercial value.
Our Workplace Asset Renewal program allows organisations to plan at the start and avoid waste at the end. Learn more about our four-step turnkey asset lifecycle service below.
We also offer a Product Stewardship agreement for businesses who want to ensure what happens next with their product solutions.
Our approach to circular workplace.
“Schiavello are proud to offer unrivalled experience in providing the full array of furniture lifecycle solutions, helping businesses to maximise the value of their workplace assets.”
02
Waste Minimisation
Industry leading systems and circular economic principles.
Since 1997, Schiavello has led the industry in environmental footprint reduction, primarily in regards to waste. First establishing a bespoke Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14001:2015. This set of environmental principles structured how we could reduce our impacts on energy, waste and emissions as a result of our operations, before becoming a Waste Wise Business in 2001.
Efforts to reduce waste
“Our design philosophy has always centred on quality and longevity, intrinsically eliminating excess production. Today’s extended focus on multipurpose and malleable furniture only further reduces overproduction and overconsumption.”
03
Emissions Reduction
Local supply chain and industry certifications.
From the outset, our commitment to local materials, suppliers and production reduces our carbon footprint and other pollutants simply by never emitting them, in comparison to efforts made to counteract.
We're currently conducting a business wide review of our 2023 emissions to set new targets for 2024 and beyond.
From the planet to its people, our products are mindfully designed with considerations to the chemicals they omit. Certified to both Greenguard Environmental Institute and the Living Future Institute’s Red List Free, we are committed to improving indoor air quality and limiting exposure to chemicals and other pollutants that pose a risk to human health.
Engaging local suppliers
“95% of our raw materials are locally sourced from iconic Australian brands, including Blue Scope Steel, Capral (Aluminium), Laminex Industries, and Dulux, as well as a variety of SME suppliers.”
04
Fair Trade
Supply chain tier mapping and globally recognised agreements.
Our local, highly reputable suppliers allow for clear and thorough supply chain mapping. This means we have high visibility of everyone at every stage of the production process and ensures fair and ethical treatment to all.
To certify this, we have published our commitment in our Modern Slavery Act and are proud signatories to the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact incorporating these principles into our strategies, policies, procedures and operations, as well as reporting on them.
Our responsibility
"As Australia’s largest furniture designer and manufacturer, we take our responsibility to not only the local community but our entire supply chain seriously."
05
Social Impact
From Product Stewardship to community affiliations.
Through our commitment to reducing churn, we offer a Product Stewardship agreement which recovers end-of-life furniture to recycle, or reuse and redistribute. We work collaboratively with clients to determine an agreement that aligns best with their environmental goals.
Our preferred option for product life extension is through our 50% Indigenous owned business, Bunin. Through Bunin, we work to identify opportunities where products can be donated to communities and schools in need through our Indigenous Participation Program.
