Sunshine Coast-based plastic-free superstore Go For Zero brings positivity to an otherwise daunting conversation around the state of the environment and gives people the tools to make a difference through sustainable living.
Its curated selection of more than 2000 products from 104 Australian-owned brands have been researched, tested and found to be free of toxins and plastics.
This Plastic Free July (1-31 July 2022) Go For Zero founder Ellie Degraeve says her thriving business is living proof that ordinary families can turn the tide of plastic over-use, and business can be a force for good.
In Australia 84 per cent of plastic is sent to landfill and only 13 per cent is recycled.
“The amount of plastic is predicted to double by 2040 and by 2050 plastic in the oceans is set to outweigh fish,” Ellie said.
“That is not a world I want my children to inherit! Our customers are telling us they want to restore our planet’s health too.”
“Through social media, emails and our blog we educate consumers on plastic-free and toxin-free living in a positive and kind way, we challenge our habits and empower people by giving solutions on how to make these changes in their life, starting at home,” Ellie said.
“We also help businesses who make great natural products to improve their packaging so it’s plastic-free, and it’s amazing that sometimes business owners are often willing but simply don’t know about alternatives.”
Go For Zero has shipped 15,500 orders to Aussie homes with plastic free alternatives for their everyday swaps since July last year, and 42,400 since it started in 2018.
“We are creating a new normal, where business is a force for good, and drives positive social change,” Ellie said.
“For consumers, it’s not only possible to find affordable alternatives to plastic, but with us it’s easy and fun.”
Go For Zero won the state award in the promoting sustainability category at the 2022 Telstra Best of Business awards.
“To create a business like ours, where everything we offer and use is toxin free and zero waste (even the tape for packing orders), we have to think far outside the norm,” Ellie said.
“Others claim to be sustainable while still stocking plastic-packaged goods – but to rid the world of plastic we need to cut it off at its source. I think you need to be bold and be true to your vision when you start an innovative business, and I hope others with ideas like mine see this success and take strength from it.”
Being true to her values meant the path to financial sustainability was “bumpy”, Ellie said.
“There were people telling me the business would not survive, and it has been very challenging. But four years after we launched, our revenue is up 700 per cent and is in the six-figures.”
“We now know tens of thousands of customers agree with our mission of making the world less trashy. They are voting for that future with their purchase decisions.
“Forty-two percent of our sales are from returning customers, showing us people trust us and rely on our judgement.
“It makes me so proud and also relieved for people too, because I know how hard it can be to find natural, safe, ethical household products. That is where the business came from – my struggle to find safe products to use with my firstborn daughter Gracie, who had severe reactions to what I learned were toxic ingredients.”
