Optus aces ESG by embedding sustainability in its culture, decision-making and operations

Summary

Optus is treating sustainability as an operating principle rather than a compliance checkbox, threading environmental, social and governance priorities through recycling programmes, digital inclusion initiatives and workplace accessibility commitments. The Australian telecom operator has set ambitious targets around renewable electricity sourcing and electronic waste reduction as part of a broader climate action plan.

On the environmental side, a long-running national recycling partnership keeps used mobile phones and other devices out of landfill, supported by a device-donation programme that refurbishes and redistributes spare devices to those in need through charity partners. On the social side, a data-donation initiative lets customers pass unused mobile data to young people, families and others experiencing hardship, addressing digital exclusion for Australians who might otherwise lack reliable internet access. Governance efforts centre on an accessibility and inclusion action plan built around four pillars covering the workplace, community partnerships, customer-facing services and innovation, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for people with disability.

Together, these initiatives reflect a shift away from a take-make-dispose model of operating toward one where recycling, digital inclusion and accessibility are treated as interconnected parts of how a telecom operator runs its business.

• A national mobile phone recycling and device-donation programme
• Data donation addressing digital exclusion for vulnerable Australians
• A four-pillar accessibility and inclusion action plan

What does it take for a telecom operator to move from a take-make-dispose model to one genuinely built around reuse and inclusion?