RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

Seekers was founded on the belief that a business can be a force for good – not as a side project, but as a core part of how it operates. Our commitments to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, human rights and environmental sustainability, aren't separate from what we do. They're woven into how we hire, how we source, how we care for our clients, and how we engage with the community around us.

These aren't static documents. They're reviewed, updated, and held to account – because we believe that's what genuine commitment looks like.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability at Seekers isn't a policy we revisit once a year – it's present in the daily decisions of how we run our practice, what we stock, who we work with, and how we handle what we consume and discard.

We acknowledge that business activity has real environmental consequences, and we don't look away from that. Instead, we work to reduce our footprint at every level we can influence.

In our practice 

We filter microplastics from the wastewater produced during lens edging – a step most practices don't take, but one we believe is the right thing to do. We manage hazardous waste including batteries and e-waste through the City of Yarra recycling centre, and we work to reduce our consumption of energy, paper, and materials across daily operations.

In what we stock 

The frames we carry are chosen in part because they're built to last. High-quality, mastercrafted eyewear that can be repaired, re-lensed, and worn for years is a sustainability position in itself – it's the opposite of disposable.

In how we extend the life of eyewear 

Our Circular Eyewear program – Relens, Refurbish, Donate, Recycle – is the practical expression of our sustainability values. We partner with Lions Recycle for Sight, Spexcycle and TerraCycle to ensure that frames, lenses, and contact lenses are reused or recycled rather than discarded.

In who we work with 

We preference suppliers who share our commitment to human rights and environmental performance. We advocate for higher standards across our supply chain, and we hold ourselves to the same expectations we set for others.

Looking ahead 

We're implementing a Climate Action Plan to reduce emissions across our operations – from frame and lens production through to energy use, transport, and paper consumption – in line with the global target of limiting warming to 1.5°C. Our sustainability performance is reviewed annually, with targets measured and reported as part of that process.

JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION

Seekers exists to provide exceptional eyecare and eyewear to everyone who walks through our door. But we also recognise that we're more than a practice – we're an employer, a community member, and a small part of a much larger system that doesn't always work equally for everyone.

Our JEDI commitment involves being honest with ourselves about that, and taking action.

In practice, this means actively identifying and addressing barriers – in how we hire, how we source, and how we deliver care. It means working toward fair access and fair outcomes for our team, our suppliers, and our clients, particularly those who may face barriers related to income, disability, language, or migration status. This means creating an environment where everyone, including staff and clients, can speak up with dignity and without fear.

We are committed to operating in a just, equitable, and inclusive way in our operations, for our customers, and in the communities we impact. We value a wide range of identities, backgrounds, and experiences because they make us better at what we do.

This commitment is owned and overseen by our management team, who are responsible for ensuring it's reflected in our day-to-day operations, our policies, and our relationships with the people and communities we serve. It's reviewed regularly – because we know this is ongoing work, not a box to tick. In keeping with that transparency, Seekers does not engage in any lobbying activities.

SEEKERS IMPACTS

Our commitments don't stop at policy. Seekers Impacts is our ongoing program of practical action – from our Circular Eyewear initiative, which keeps frames in use and out of landfill, to Seekers Supports, our quarterly community donation program directed by our clients.

B CORP CERTIFIED

Seekers is the first and only Certified B Corporation optometrist in Australia, receiving our official certification in August 2023. B Corp Certification is not a one-time achievement – it requires ongoing assessment and recertification, holding us to a standard that grows alongside our practice.

Our responsible business commitments are an expression of that standard: a framework for turning our values into action, and for continuing to raise what we expect of ourselves.

WE’RE OPEN TO FEEDBACK

If something hasn’t felt right in your dealings with Seekers – whether you are a client, a team member, a supplier, or a member of our community – we want to hear about your experience. Every concern raised with us is taken seriously, investigated and responded to. 

To get in touch, please contact our management team:

Kye O’Donnell, Director
kye@seekersoptical.com.au
PO Box 4125, Fitzroy Victoria 3065