Lifecycles is proud to have contributed to an important project for Charitable Reuse Australia that sheds new light on the environmental and economic value of reuse in Australia.

Released earlier this year, the National Reuse Impact Dataset provides detailed insights into the environmental savings generated through the reuse of 40 commonly donated items—ranging from clothing and electronics to books, furniture, and homewares. Developed in collaboration with the governments of New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia, this dataset marks a significant step forward in recognising and quantifying the critical role that reuse plays in reducing emissions, saving resources, and supporting local communities.

Key findings:

In just one year, Australians saved an estimated $2 billion by shopping second-hand. At the same time, the reuse of these 40 items prevented an extraordinary 1.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions—the equivalent of removing 585,000 cars from the road.

From an environmental and social perspective, the case for reuse is undeniable.

What we did:

This work builds on an Australian-first project by Charitable Reuse Australia and the NSW Environment Protection Authority, which assessed the reuse sector’s triple bottom line impacts. Consultants Rawtec compiled initial Environmental Conversion Factors (ECFs) to estimate carbon, water, and energy savings. Lifecycles peer-reviewed these factors, which were suitable for high-level analysis but inconsistent for detailed use. Rawtec recommended a more comprehensive, standardised set of ECFs aligned with national guidelines. Lifecycles was engaged to develop this new dataset, improving accuracy and consistency in modelling reuse impacts—supporting the National Reuse Impact Dataset and ongoing studies like the Tasmanian Reuse Data Study.

Applications:

These new ECFs underpin not only the National Reuse Impact Dataset, but also the development of a bespoke Reuse Impact Calculator, designed to help reuse organisations quantify their impact more precisely.

The tool enables users to explore reuse impacts at different levels—by product item, product group, reuse organisation, or even individual initiatives. This means for the first time, charitable and commercial reuse operators alike can generate credible, data-backed environmental reporting to share with stakeholders and funders.

Explore it for yourself:

The updated National Reuse Measurement Guidelines now include these Environmental Conversion Factors, and are freely available for download. You can also access the full Lifecycles ECF Report, which outlines the methodology and assumptions behind the new factors.

Visit Charitable Reuse website, here: https://www.charitablereuse.org.au/education/charitable-impact/