Social & environmental responsibility

GS1 New Zealand members are routinely donating products to charity through GS1's ProductFlow and barcode verification processes. And the scale of donation is growing, along with the gratitude of various recipients selected by GS1 on members' behalf.

Products of all kinds stream into GS1 for processing by the ProductFlow teams in Auckland and Wellington – processed, frozen and fresh foods, household items, tools and other hardware, and much more (even potted plants).

Members can opt to receive the items back into their own inventories or to leave them with GS1 for donation or disposal. The number of products given away by GS1 in 2018 was approximately 12,000, and the value was substantial (albeit unquantified).

The GS1 team distributes the donated foods and other items to the City Missions of Auckland and Wellington, the Sisters of Compassion Soup Kitchen in Wellington, Cancer Society's Margaret Stewart House, and Lions and Rotary clubs.

The team makes a big effort to pass on as much food as it can in the time available and to minimise wastage.