Finding ways to reduce waste, re-use packaging, and source local produce to reduce food miles.

Goods to Go Café is a bustling café and catering business located in Victor Harbor, serving as the primary supplier of daily lunches to 5 local schools, catering to the dietary needs of 700 to 900 students. 

In 2023–24, Goods to Go Café took part in Business Victor Harbor’s Fleurieu Region Circular Business Program. 

Objectives

The primary objective of Goods to Go Café's participation in the program was to delve into the principles of the circular economy and explore avenues for enhancing recycling and reuse practices within their operations.

The importance of sustainability

Reducing environmental impact by minimising waste sent to landfill emerged as a key priority for Goods to Go Café. As a provider of a large volume of lunches to local schools, the business aimed to align its operations with sustainable practices, thereby contributing to the broader environmental and social well-being of the community.

Program outcomes

Through participation in the program, Goods to Go Café identified several opportunities for improvement, including:

• reducing food miles by sourcing ingredients locally, minimising carbon emissions associated with transportation
• implementing strategies to reduce waste sent to landfill, such as composting organic waste and exploring alternatives to single-use packaging
• enhancing profit margins by optimising resource usage and minimising waste, improving overall operational efficiency.

What’s next?

Looking ahead, Goods to Go Café is committed to further advancing its sustainability efforts. The business is actively investigating the use of suitable packaging solutions to minimise environmental impact while maintaining the quality and freshness of its products.

Conclusion

Goods to Go Café’s participation in Business Victor Harbor’s Fleurieu Region Circular Business Program has led to significant strides in sustainability. By embracing circular economy principles, the café will reduce waste, minimise food miles, and explore alternatives to single-use packaging.

About the Fleurieu Region Circular Business Program

Business Victor Harbor’s inaugural Fleurieu Region Circular Business Program was funded by Green Industries SA and delivered by Rawtec.

The program supported 5 businesses local to the region to move to more circular practices.

Over a 12-month period, participating businesses attended a series of workshops where they learnt about the principles of the circular economy, and created an action plan on how they could apply these to their business.