Sustainability

At Hive & Wellness, we are dedicated to sustainable honey production that supports our people, planet, and products.

As leaders in the Australian honey industry, we actively work towards environmental responsibility, ethical beekeeping, and high-quality honey production. Our sustainability initiatives focus on reducing our carbon footprint, promoting eco-friendly packaging, and protecting the future of beekeeping in Australia.

Sustainability in action: Our three pillars.

At Hive & Wellness, we believe that sustainability is a shared responsibility. Through ongoing investment, innovation, and collaboration, we are committed to ensuring a thriving, sustainable future for the Australian honey industry.

Our sustainability strategy is built on three pillars.

Best for our people

Creating a safe, inclusive, and rewarding workplace while supporting Australian beekeepers and local communities.

Best for our planet

Reducing our environmental impact through carbon reduction, renewable energy, and sustainable packaging.

Best for our product

Ensuring pure, high-quality honey through strict food safety standards and ethical sourcing.

Our commitment in action: People, Planet & Products.

Our commitment in action: People, Planet & Products.

Our commitment in action: People, Planet & Products.

Supporting Our Team & Communities

We are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive workplace, supporting our Australian beekeepers, and making a positive impact on our local communities.

  • Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace – We champion equal opportunities and embrace workplace diversity.
  • Employee Wellbeing & Safety – Our Healthy Hive Initiative promotes mental health and physical wellbeing.
  • Training & Career Growth – Access to the Go1 training platform with over 100,000 learning resources.
  • Recognition & Rewards Program – Celebrating employee contributions with long-service awards and peer recognition.
  • Support for Work-Life Balance – Flexible workplace policies and initiatives that encourage a healthy work-life balance.
  • Beekeeping Futures Program – Investing over $1M in supporting the next generation of Australian beekeepers.
  • Disaster Relief for Beekeepers – Our Hive Aid and Buy a Bee campaigns provided beekeepers financial support after bushfires, floods, and droughts.
  • Charity & Community Partnerships – We collaborate with local charities to create a positive social impact.
  • Safe & Ethical Business Practices – Zero tolerance for modern slavery, unethical sourcing, and corruption.

Protecting the Environment & Honeybees

We take environmental sustainability seriously by actively working to minimise our carbon footprint, waste, and water usage while protecting honeybee populations.

  • Renewable Energy in Production – Solar power supplies energy to two of our three sites – Maryborough and Bayswater.
  • Water Conservation & Recycling – up to 240,000L of water recycled annually and repurposed for sustainable farming.
  • Reducing Waste in Production – 60% of waste diverted from landfill, with a target of 70% by the end of 2025.
  • Sustainable Packaging – 99% of our packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable, aiming for 100% by 2026.
  • Increased Use of Recycled Materials – 30% average recycled content across our domestic packaging range, with continuous improvement year on year.
  • Phasing Out Problematic Plastics – Eliminating single-use plastics and carbon black pigments from packaging.
  • Sustainable Beekeeping Practices – Working with beekeepers to encourage environmentally responsible honey production.

Quality, Purity & Innovation

We are committed to packing high-quality, responsibly sourced honey while delivering industry initiatives and innovation that helps protect the future of beekeeping.

  • Sustainable Packaging Innovations – Advancing the use of recyclable, reusable, and recycled materials across our product range.
  • Industry-Leading Quality Standards – BRC & HACCP certification ensures our honey meets or exceeds industry benchmarks.
  • Rigorous Product Testing – Every batch undergoes independent lab testing for purity and authenticity.
  • Clean Honey Commitment – Investing in honey research with Southern Cross University to help eliminate contaminants.
  • Supporting Organic Certification – Helping Australian beekeepers achieve ACO Organic Certification.
  • Transparent & Ethical Sourcing – SEDEX-certified to uphold fair trade and ethical supply chain practices.
  • Advancing Bee Health Research – Partnering with CRC for Honeybees on pollination, pest control, and genetic research.
  • Raising Consumer Awareness – Educating Australians on sustainable honey production and honey’s unique benefits.
  • Industry Leadership & Advocacy – Actively shaping policies to protect the Australian honey industry.
Our performance summary 2025
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Our Annual Report & Action Plan 2024
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At Hive & Wellness, our commitment to sustainability is more than just a promise — it’s backed by real action and measurable progress.

Each year, we take meaningful steps to minimize waste, reduce our carbon footprint, and increase our use of sustainable materials. Our focus on continuous improvement ensures that we are actively working towards a thriving, sustainable honey industry, creating positive change for our people, planet, and products.

Our sustainability achievements

Here are some of our most significant achievements from 2024, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to making a meaningful impact:

65
tonnes

By incorporating recycled content across a range of our PET bottles, we successfully eliminated over 65 tonnes of virgin plastic from circulation.

Recycled Plastic

We proudly incorporate between 30% and 100% recycled content into select PET table honey bottles as well as 100% recycled content in select PET manuka honey jars.

92%

92% of our cartons are made from 100% recycled material.

30%

We have incorporated an average of over 30% recycled content across our domestic packaging.

99%

99% of our packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable.

Solar

We have solar panels installed and utilised at two of our three packing sites​.

324 tonnes

324 tonnes of CO2-e saved by using reusable CHEP pallets.

230 tonnes

230 tonnes of solid waste saved from landfill by using reusable CHEP pallets.

Vision, purpose & values

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Hive & Wellness has been an integral part of the Australian Honey Industry for over 70 years. Proudly Australian owned and operated, we are committed to protecting and fostering the growth of our Australian beekeeping industry and passionate about sharing honey, health and happiness, naturally.