Fashion room lets staff get creative
Sustainability remains a priority for aged care provider Ibis Care, with a new recycled fashion room proving good for the planet and for workforce culture.
Sydney-based aged care provider Ibis Care is dedicated to its target of net-zero emissions and is always looking for ways to introduce sustainable initiatives at its St George and Sutherland Shire region homes – with the latest being a fashion recycling room in Blakehurst.
Through the fashion room, staff are encouraged to share, swap and reuse clothing at no cost, and have also sent parcels of clothes to families and orphanages in the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Nepal, Vietnam and India.
Ibis Care chief executive officer La Stacey Baramy said the initiative fosters both sustainability and creativity amongst staff.
“This isn’t just about fashion, it’s about creating a culture of care and sustainability within our workplace,” said Ms Baramy.
“Some things never go out of fashion, and at Ibis Care, those things aren’t just confined to clothing – they include our commitment to sustainability, our people and culture, and by extension, those we care for.
Ibis Care’s Fashion Recycling Room is set to remain a permanent fixture, with the hope it will serve as a model for other organisations to follow suit.
“We all have a role to play in contributing positively to our environment,” said Ms Baramy.
“This is the kind of simple initiative that can work at so many different organisations and workplaces. That’s a trend that won’t ever go out of fashion and that we can get fully behind.”
“Seeing our team come together to have some fun, and develop a few new looks in the process is something that we can all be proud of as a team and a community. It speaks to who we are and the values that we aspire to as a provider of quality care.”
This latest initiative builds on Ibis Care’s 2024 Ferndale Gardens aged care home solar installations which saw the southern Sydney home welcome 527 solar panels.
“Sustainability isn’t a one-off thing for us – it’s a full-time commitment and a mindset that we’re in the process of fully embracing across all parts of our operation,” Ms Baramy said.
“We’ve actively looked at areas where we can improve in the area of sustainability including by consulting experts in their respective fields. On face-value, you wouldn’t think that fashion would be an area that could play any kind of role in our sustainability efforts, but every little bit adds up and helps.”
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