Our Impact

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Beautifully designed, consciously crafted architectural hardware that leaves a lasting impact.

At Southern Design Group, we believe that every product tells a story - one of thoughtful design and intentional impact. We craft architectural hardware designed to inspire, elevating spaces with lasting quality and innovation. But it doesn't end there.  

Every product is made with purpose, reflecting our commitment to responsible practices, from sustainable materials to meaningful community partnerships.  

That’s why we’re prioritising the use of recovered brass, implementing 100% compostable or recyclable packaging, and supporting the communities where we manufacture.  

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It’s about more than just meeting standards; we strive to lead the way with bold ideas, continually pushing ourselves to do better and set new benchmarks. 

For us, great design is more than aesthetics - it’s about crafting a future where beauty and purpose go hand in hand.  

We aim to bring conscious craftsmanship into every home, one purposeful, beautifully designed piece at a time.

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Comprehensive Recycling Programs

SDG has implemented extensive recycling programs across materials such as brass, steel, cardboard, plastics, organics, and electronics. These efforts contribute to a circular economy by ensuring valuable materials are reused and recycled rather than disposed of in landfills. 

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Renewable Energy Commitment

As of 2025, new solar panels on our Adelaide premises generate more than a third of the site’s electricity needs - cutting around 17 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year and marking an important step in reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. 

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Electric vehicle fleet transition

SDG is transitioning to a zero or low emissions vehicle fleet by the end of 2027, aligning our operations with broader environmental sustainability goals.

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Packaging Innovations

SDG is working to eliminate single-use plastics and non-recyclable materials from our packaging in line with our Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) commitments. Materials are being designed out or replaced with compostable alternatives.

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Compostable Mailers

In April 2025, we made the switch from petroplastic mailers to fully compostable mailers, helping to eliminate an estimated 13,000 plastic bags from landfill every year. 

To ensure they break down properly, please remove all labels before disposal. Once labels are removed, the compostable mailers can be placed directly into your council’s organic waste (green) bin, where they will naturally decompose alongside food scraps and garden w...

In April 2025, we made the switch from petroplastic mailers to fully compostable mailers, helping to eliminate an estimated 13,000 plastic bags from landfill every year. 

To ensure they break down properly, please remove all labels before disposal. Once labels are removed, the compostable mailers can be placed directly into your council’s organic waste (green) bin, where they will naturally decompose alongside food scraps and garden waste. 

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Compostable Pallet Wrap

In February 2025, we also eliminated plastic pallet wrap in our operations, replacing it with a fully compostable alternative, reducing waste by approximately 64,000 metres of plastic per year. Compostable pallet wrap can also be disposed of in the council organic waste (green) bin. 

This change is part of our ongoing commitment to reducing single-use plastics and making our packaging more sustainable, as we continue our journey towar...

In February 2025, we also eliminated plastic pallet wrap in our operations, replacing it with a fully compostable alternative, reducing waste by approximately 64,000 metres of plastic per year. Compostable pallet wrap can also be disposed of in the council organic waste (green) bin. 

This change is part of our ongoing commitment to reducing single-use plastics and making our packaging more sustainable, as we continue our journey towards impact certification. 

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APCO Signatory

Since 2019, SDG has been a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), achieving the highest performance rating of ‘beyond best practice’ in APCO’s 2025 annual report. APCO set a target to make all packaging in Australia reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2030.   

 

The 2030 targets are as follows: 

- 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging. 

- 70% of plastic packaging is recyc...

Since 2019, SDG has been a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), achieving the highest performance rating of ‘beyond best practice’ in APCO’s 2025 annual report. APCO set a target to make all packaging in Australia reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2030.   

 

The 2030 targets are as follows: 

- 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging. 

- 70% of plastic packaging is recycled or composted. 

- 50% of average recycled content included in packaging (revised from 30% in 2020). 

The phase-out of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging 

Help us do even better by disposing of your Southern Design Group packaging responsibly. Please consult your local council or authority to check domestic waste and recycling initiatives in your area. 

 

View SDGs 2025 APCO Annual Performance Report & Action Plan here 

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Sustainable Material Selection

At SDG, we take a meticulous approach to selecting materials, considering their elemental properties, manufacturing capabilities, texture, colour, hand-feel, and durability. The majority of our products are made from forged brass, a second-use material, which is infinitely recyclable and does not degrade over time, further reducing our environmental impact.

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Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce

SDG employs more than 100 staff, with a strong focus on gender balance, age diversity, and cultural representation. Almost 50% of our workforce are women, 37% are either below the age of 24 or above 50, and 17% come from ethnic minority groups. We hire from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and provide interpreter services and vision-impaired adjustments to support effective communication and inclusivity. 

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Community Contributions and Partnerships

SDG partners with UNICEF Australia to support vulnerable children and communities, providing them with opportunities for a better future. Our partnership with Asha, operating in 91 slums across New Delhi, focuses on healthcare, empowerment, education, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability. SDG also collaborates with community organisations like See Differently with the Royal Society for the Blind and Circle of Friends to pro...

SDG partners with UNICEF Australia to support vulnerable children and communities, providing them with opportunities for a better future. Our partnership with Asha, operating in 91 slums across New Delhi, focuses on healthcare, empowerment, education, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability. SDG also collaborates with community organisations like See Differently with the Royal Society for the Blind and Circle of Friends to provide employment opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged groups. 

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Employee Recognition Program

Through our Rewards and Recognition program, employees are celebrated with a gift card and a company donation of $100 to one of the following charities of their choice - Australian Conservation Fund, Beyond Blue, Cancer Council SA, Red Cross Australia, or RSPCA - supporting social and community initiatives.