Bunzl is continually looking for opportunities to create a better future for us and all those who follow by collaborating with leading suppliers across sectors to find more sustainable solutions where applicable and ensure better alternatives where possible. Our recently implemented Sustainability Ambassador Program ensures that sustainability goals are being prioritised at a local level as well and we’ve had the opportunity to sit down with Sustainability Ambassador, Melanie Harris – Key Account Manager FMG at Bunzl Safety.
Why did you volunteer to become a Sustainability Ambassador?
Sustainability is a large part of my life that I am very passionate about.
Personally, I am super proud to represent Bunzl Safety and Lifting as a Sustainability Ambassador. This role allows me to assist both my customers and my team in supporting the implementation of sustainable practices and help them to understand the fundamentals behind these actions. It also allows me to drive awareness of sustainability.
From the many conversations I’ve had, it’s also interesting to learn what Sustainability means to others, whether it’s importance lies within the business or more to them as an individual.
Do you have any personal goals when it comes to sustainability in your industry?
The industry I look after is mining, and apart from the obvious reduction of harmful carbon emissions, sustainability also encompasses responsible and ethical sourcing as well as Indigenous engagement.
There’s also been a focus on reducing the plastics that end up in our waterways and become harmful to our marine life. I have strong desire to drive awareness and make a real difference for our future generations when it comes to these issues.
Also, promoting a circular economy across business in reducing, reusing and recycling.
What are you most excited to work with your customers around?
I am very fortunate and proud to work with Fortescue Metals Group and Fortescue Future Industries.
In partnership, we are working on many Sustainability initiatives that include reduction of carbon emersions, plastic reduction across sites, local Indigenous engagement, and ensuring responsible and ethical sourcing at all points.
Is there anything that you’d like to see more of when it comes to sustainability in your industry?
Innovation. We want and need to be the leaders in this space, and if we can present new sustainable options to our customers that will efficiently assist them to achieve their sustainability goals and/or targets then we’ll be able to establish ourselves and improve the future of our planet at the same time.
What changes do you find most exciting surrounding sustainability?
The engagement we are receiving from multiple stakeholders from our customers – from CEOs all the way through to the users on site, more and more people are caring about sustainable changes that can be made across business.
It was also exciting to see our Bunzl APAC Sustainability targets e.g., Net Zero by 2030 (scope 1 and 2 emissions), phasing out fragmentable plastics by July 2022, and phasing out problematic single use plastic packaging by 2025 etc.
