Case Study

Chemrose

Indigenous-owned and operated, GECA’s licensee Chemrose was conceived out of Gamilaroi men Matt and George Rose’s passion and desire to support and empower the custodians of the land.

Chemrose considers an ongoing partnership with GECA integral to future growth. They have products certified under our Cleaning Products and Personal Care Products standards. In addition to GECA certification, Chemrose is also Supply Nation certified.

Buying from Chemrose means supporting the extended families and communities of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and contributing directly to the empowerment of the original custodians of this land.

We spoke to Geoff Simpson, General Manager at Chemrose, about why they became GECA certified and the impact that it has had on their business.

What are some key sustainability aspects of your business and certified products?

Being an Aboriginal business, we have inherent cultural responsibilities to look after our Country. These obligations have been handed down through the generations and continue today. Therefore our cultural values align with the intent of GECA certification (i.e. ethically sourced and packaged, able to be recycled and independent verification) and that the products are what we say they are.

We wanted to manufacture products that are effective and better for the environment, which is our key sustainability core value. The other key sustainability aspects of our business include these four principles:

• Opportunity (for others to feel their relationship with the Country);
• Participation (in meaningful and authentic cultural experiences);
• Relationships (with Aboriginal people); and
• Connection (to Country and their role going forward in the future).

Aboriginal people have achieved living sustainably on this landscape; therefore, ask us how we did and continue to do it.

Why did you choose to get GECA certification?

We choose GECA certification because it’s the best framework that aligns with our cultural values of looking after Country. We are interested in doing business with like-minded people whose purpose and intent are clear. Hence why we chose GECA because we sing the same song. A song sung out of tune is horrible to listen to, but when it’s in harmony, you have unity, connection, oneness and, ultimately, sustainability.

How important is certification to you and your customers?

Independent certification is an important pillar of our business approach. We want to tell people about the value, effectiveness and benefits of using our products. Having the support and verification of an independent assessor provides extra credibility. An independent assessor will also tell you the good and bad, not just the good. Therefore it provides extra credibility for ourselves and our partners.

Culturally we also have responsibilities and obligations for our children, grandchildren and the next generation. We want them to have a Country that is in better condition than it is now, and our products contribute to an improved environment.

What do you think are the biggest sustainability challenges for your industry right now?

One of the biggest sustainability challenges is to know what sustainability is first before we go in pursuit of it. Sometimes it’s chasing something we don’t even know about (across the industry).

The second challenge is how do we then ‘live it’ as actions rather than just an idea?

The third is why do we sustain what we are doing now (especially when we are losing other species at a rapid rate).

Therefore, I wonder if it’s about sustainability, restoration, reconnection, being present, being social, or a term that can describe how we give back to the Country rather than keeping on taking from her.

Food for thought.