LOVEKINS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Brand Promise: Pure, Nurture, Protect
Brand Ethos: Self-care, Empowerment & Education
Purpose:
The purpose of our corporate social responsibility plan is never self-promotion — it is to give back to the world in an authentic, tangible way that we believe in. Giving back to the communities we are connected to, and have been a part of for generations goes right to the heart of Lovekins and what we stand for. This plan is a commitment to that goal.
Amanda's Story
Growing up in Darwin, Lovekins’ Founder & CEO Amanda Essery has developed a deep appreciation for the land and the knowledge of natural ingredients that the First People have generously passed down through generations. She has also witnessed firsthand the struggles and disadvantages Aboriginal communities often face - social alienation, lack of resources, or family problems that lead to breaks in schooling and education.
For Amanda, kinship means the responsibility to look after the community that nurtured her - this is why at Lovekins, we strive to pay forward every step of the way.
The purpose of our corporate social responsibility plan is never self-promotion — it is to give back to the world in an authentic, tangible way that we believe in.
Our Plan
What we hope to achieve:
We hope to make a difference in the lives of women and families and give back to the communities that have helped us become who we are today. We hope to leave the environment in a better way than we found it, and lead the way in initiatives that contribute to sustainable changes.
The causes we care about:
• Health, safety and wellness of women, mothers and children
• Improving child literacy and access to education in the Indigenous communities across Australia
• Conservation of Australian natives and honouring the traditional practices of Indigenous agriculture
• Sustainable and ethical manufacturing to minimise negative environmental impacts
How we will implement the plan:
We will respond to causes that connect to our values and our heritage, whether they are humanitarian crises that need an urgent response, or a long term partnership with a cause we believe in.
Strategic Goals
Giving back - Improving Child Literacy
As a proud supporter of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, we are committed to donating proceeds from the sale of our book ‘The Grumpy Little Crocodile’ as well as raising awareness within our community to encourage them to fund this cause close to our hearts.
Since the launch of The Grumpy Little Crocodile in September 2020, we have been making quarterly donations to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
We strive to make a difference in the lives of Indigenous children through this partnership.
2022+
Onwards and upwards
In 2020, we purchased a section of forest to offset carbon emissions produced in our production process. The Lovekins section of forest situated in Gunning, NSW. The care for and protection of this section of forest offsets up to approximately 30 million 100ml tubes each year - all while contributing to wildlife protection and rehabilitation.
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At Lovekins, we pledge to work with suppliers that have a vested future in sustainability. We continue to work towards Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets and pledge to make our packaging 100% recyclable or reusable by 2025.
Sustainability - Making the Switch to Sustainable Packaging
For over 3 years, we have been working alongside our suppliers to improve the sustainability of our packaging.
We made the switch to an innovative, award-winning tube in 2018 that is manufactured here in Australia. Through specialised production techniques, this tube contains more than 40% sugarcane polyethylene (PE). As a plant, sugar cane captures carbon throughout its life cycle. This means that when the sugar cane PE leaves the factory, it is carbon neutral. The sugar cane PE used in our packaging is also FDA approved for direct food contact and does not contain any nasties, such as Bisphenol A.
In addition to this, our tube manufacturing facility is powered by clean energy solar power.
Closing the Gap on Period Poverty
Period poverty is a global issue affecting menstruating females which deprives them of sufficient access to sanitary products and the right to manage menstruation without shame or stigma. We recognise that for many women, periods can create financial burdens and barriers in life.
At Lovekins, we believe that no woman or girl should suffer through periods or go without the very basics in sanitary care.
This is why we are proud to be a Champion of Change workplace to help close the gap. In 2021, we set an annual fundraiser goal to raise $10,000 for those experiencing period poverty.
In August, all purchases of period pads made on our website were matched with donations to Share The Dignity. 729 packets of Lovekins Period Care products were donated to those in need, all thanks to the beautiful Lovekins community.
Key Partnership on Forestry Infrastructure
In collaboration with our tube manufacturer, we support the offset of carbon emissions through an investment of forestry infrastructure.
The Lovekins forest situated in Gunning, NSW can offset raw materials used in the manufacturing process, rounding up to approximately 30 million 100ml tubes each year - all while contributing to wildlife protection and rehabilitation.
At Lovekins, we pledge to work with suppliers that have a vested future in sustainability. We believe that nurturing the Australian wildlife as well as reducing the carbon footprint of our packaging and supply chain is what we can contribute to a healthier planet one step at a time.
Hunger and Disaster Relief
Lovekins is a long-term
supporter of Foodbank Australia, striving to solve food insecurity in the
country. As the lockdown continued due to the pandemic, the need to support the
most vulnerable among us increased.
8,500 units of Lovekins Baby
Face Cream were donated to Foodbank NSW & ACT, reaching those who require
assistance.
Supporting Period Equity
• Lovekins Period Care Vending Machine
Through our fundraising efforts to support Share the Dignity, we have chosen Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation as the beneficiary of a vending machine stocked with free pads and tampons. This will assist the Indigenous community who previously had limited access to period care products.
Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation was designed to meet the health needs of Aboriginal people within the Ceduna district of South Australia, including Scotdesco, Koonibba and surrounding Homelands. The health service sees approximately 100-200 female clients each month and spend around $400 each month on providing sanitary items. The client base is of low income, and most are unable to afford period products.
• Period with a Purpose
To raise awareness for World Menstrual Hygiene Day, we launched our online gift drive, Period with a Purpose, at the beginning of May. With every pack of pads sold on our website that month, we paid it forward and donated a pack to charities across the Nothern Territory.
Thanks to our amazing customers and the team at Share the Dignity, 996 packs of our pads were delivered to the below organisations,
• Life Education Northern Territory
• Palmerston Senior College
• Tennant Creek Women’s Refuge
• Ramingining School
• Yilli Rreung Housing Aboriginal Corps
• Elliot Safe House Barkley Regional
Creating a Safe Future for Women & Girls
For every product sold during our EOFY sale, we paid it forward and donated 978 units of nappies and skincare to the Women's and Girls' Emergency Centre. The products are going to those who have experienced homelessness and domestic violence, support women on their journeys to financial independence, give kids what they need to thrive, and nurture WAGEC's clients in their recovery from trauma.
Help Solving the Nappy Stress
We are a proud supporter of The Nappy Collective, the only Australian nonprofit that focuses on collecting disposable nappies and distributing them to families in crisis.
According to the research done by The Nappy Collective, 3.05m million people in Australia are estimated to live below the poverty line, and of these nearly 250k are aged 0-4 years.
Families who are living below the poverty line or find themselves in crisis can struggle to provide an adequate supply of nappies for their children. Nappy stress can have serious negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of parents and children and affects families financially and socially.
NSW Flood Relief
In response to the flooding occurring throughout Northern NSW, we donated 600 packs of nappies and period pads to support families in need with the help of Foodbank NSW & ACT who are working incredibly hard on the ground.
WWF Partner in Purpose
In 2022, we are proud to announce that as a Partner in Purpose, Lovekins is supporting WWF Australia to help Regenerate Australia. The program aims to rehabilitate and restore wildlife and habitats, and future-proof Australia against climate disasters.
2025 National Packaging Targets
As we continue to work towards Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets, we pledge to make our packaging 100% recyclable or reusable by 2025, and use at least 50% recycled material in our packaging by 2030.