The big clean - small scale action with broader environmental and health relevance

In FY25, Medibank launched The Big Clean, an employee-led clean-up initiative, offering all permanent employees 3 additional hours of paid community leave to contribute to local environmental efforts. The initiative was intentionally structured as a team-based activity, encouraging employees to connect with one another while spending time in nature. This approach not only supported Medibank’s environmental goals but also aligned with our commitment to addressing social connection and loneliness, a core pillar of our community strategy. 

The program focused on removing land-based waste before it reaches waterways, where it can contribute to marine pollution and climate change. Even small-scale clean-ups help reduce plastic waste, which breaks down into microplastics and releases methane. These pollutants threaten ecosystems like coral reefs and ocean organisms, which are not only vital to marine biodiversity but also play a growing role in human health. Protecting these ecosystems is important for both planetary and human health. 

By combining environmental action with opportunities for social connection, The Big Clean served as a meaningful step in raising awareness of the links between environmental health, climate, and human connection through everyday actions.