Local good guy and passionate environmentalist James Brockhurst will hang up the boots after 12 years at the helm of The Good Guys, Capalaba, when the company corporatises on Thursday, June 30.
The Capalaba business owner, well known for his commitment to community giving and environmental sustainability, plans to spend more time with his family.
As a passionate environmentalist, he used his time with The Good Guys to work towards his long-standing goal of zero waste to landfill.
“I’ve had a wonderful 12 years with The Good Guys and, while I’ve enjoyed every moment of the journey, I’m now really looking forward to just taking a break from running a business and spending time with my family,” he said.
“I am passionate about protecting the environment and, as a retailer, I have always taken my responsibility to help consumers make smart decisions about the environmental impact of their purchases.
“I have also implemented sustainable strategies within the store and my whole team has been working towards our goal of zero waste to landfill, which is no mean feat.”
Under Mr Brockhurst’s stewardship, The Good Guys set up a partnership with Yourtown, formerly BoysTown.
That project helped revolutionise recycling of white goods while training marginalised youth.
But the good deeds did not stop there and the Good Guys also started a paper recycling venture with a neighbouring pet shop, provided food scraps to local schools’ compost gardens, recycled toner cartridges through Planet Ark, timber pallets, plastics, shrink wrap and aluminium cans.
All of the store’s polystyrene waste, which made up 75 per cent of the total store waste, is recycled reducing about five tonnes of waste from going into landfills every year.
Mr Brockhurst also ensured the store was involved in the local community and donated more than $100,000 to local charities, community groups, schools, sporting clubs and families.
The store’s Local Giving Program supported the Starlight Foundation, BABI, the Melanoma Foundation, Heart Kids, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, Bayside and Redlands PCYC as well as Jamie’s Ministry of Food Australia and Orange Sky Laundry.
“We have tried to help lots and lots of people over the years by supporting local, grass-roots charities and organisations that deliver important programs and services in the local community,” Mr Brockhurst said.
“I am extremely proud of what we have been able to achieve over this time and to know that our contribution in the community has had a positive impact on important social issues.”
He wished the store’s new executive manager John Mazline all the best and said it had been an honour to serve the local community.
