AMCS x Myer: a considered collaboration.
Myer’s Australian Marine Conservation Society Art Series range, launched 21st October 2022, is a collaboration between Myer Homewares and Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS).
Through this considered and purposeful range of homewares, developed in Melbourne by the Myer Homewares Team, the homewares products feature corals, turtles, whales, dugongs and sharks. Both the adults and children’s ranges have been created to share important ocean conservation messages and inspire passion for our amazing oceans and marine life.
Myer is donating 5% of all profits from sales of the range to AMCS to help with their ongoing projects.
AMCS, like our business supporters, seek to be part of an ethically responsible and environmentally considerate global community. We work alongside companies who have made a commitment to progress towards best practice and continual improvement of business practices which genuinely contribute to environmental protection.
Myer worked closely with AMCS to ensure all products were sourced in line with Myer’s ethical sourcing framework and products were largely made from natural or non-virgin materials. In developing the range, the Myer team worked to reduce plastic from packaging, and where possible, opted for FSC uncoated kraft paper and created a secondary use for packaging (such as bags from bedlinen packaging, colouring in projects for kids on inner boxes, and placing factual content on packaging to educate consumers about marine environments).
Positive choices for our oceans
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| Sustainable Products The range includes bedding that is MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX and cushions with recycled polyester fill. | Recyclable Packaging Packaging has been designed to be low impact. FSC stock has been used where possible and uncoated kraft paper makes it easy to return to the system. The line is accompanied by recyclable paper clothes hangers, packaging made from self fabric is made from material offcuts and packaging doubles as colouring-in educational materials for kids. | Eco-friendly displays Promote the range in store and connect shoppers to our oceans using plastic-free, recyclable materials, for minimal waste. Traditional floor decals were avoided due to solvent based laminates, substrate and inks, which are harmful to the environment. |
Working towards a low impact, more sustainable range
The Myer team wanted to collaborate with AMCS to trial the development of a more sustainable range with advice and support from AMCS, leveraging the organisations’ extensive knowledge around conservation, whilst also promoting important conservation messages.
Show / Hide FAQs
How Does AMCS Choose Business Partners?
AMCS welcomes support from business leaders that can help us tackle some of the biggest wildlife and habitat protection challenges. As an environmental conservation organisation, AMCS seeks the support of companies who are aware of and respect conservation and sustainability of our natural environment. We ask each Business Supporter to honour and strive to meet our AMCS Ethical Charter.
What was the purpose of this collaboration?
Myer wanted to collaborate with AMCS as a means to create a platform for conversations around conservation and marine environments. The range was not only an opportunity to explore the challenges of working towards more sustainable products, but a chance to tell a story and educate the Myer consumer around Australian marine environments.
Does Myer have ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) Standards?
Myer has an ethical sourcing policy, modern slavery statement and animal welfare policy. Read more about Myer’s Sustainability Corporate Responsibility here.
What process was followed in the development of the product range?
The aim was to develop a range that featured more sustainable products. A clear brief was provided to Myer’s suppliers around low impact materials and alternatives for manufacturing and AMCS and Myer collaborated on what products to range discussing fabrications and designs together. Certification and product testing was collected and recorded to validate claims.
What materials have been used in the range?
A variety of materials have been used on this range; such as non-virgin/recycled polyester, MADE IN GREEN OEKO-TEX fabric dye methods and natural fibres such as cotton and linen. You can read about individual products online within the product descriptions.
Is the packaging environmentally friendly?
Myer made every effort to eliminate plastic from its packaging, whilst designing a style of packaging that utilised raw kraft paper with minimal ink, making the packaging low impact and easier to return into the recycling system. New ideas were explored, such as developing cardboard hangers for beach ponchos rather than plastic.
This did not come without challenges, and errors. Late in the production process one factory on a limited line of products failed to use thread to connect pieces of product as requested and they opted to use a plastic kimble to connect them. Myer have addressed the issue with the supplier and the supplier now has the correct machinery to in future utilise the environmentally friendly materials. While this is disappointing, ultimately the issue has resulted in a supply chain investing in the equipment and materials required to remove plastics from product lines.
Are the displays in stores environmentally friendly?
The in-store Visual Merchandising has been printed on raw cardboard stock and Myer avoided using any plastic decals.
How much does AMCS receive?
Myer will donate 5% of all profits from the collaboration range to AMCS. This gift will help AMCS continue our work advocating, researching, and reporting on the many campaigns for our oceans. AMCS is the only national organisation dedicated solely to marine conservation, the breadth of work is significant, from increasing marine sanctuaries, advocating for threatened species, improving water quality, reducing single use plastic waste, and protecting our reefs.