MPB Publishes First Impact Report

MPB publishes first Impact Report, revealing a 39% increase in recirculated items of gear 

• MPB recirculated 485,000 individual items of photo and video gear in FY23, a 39% increase compared to last year, according to the business’ first-ever Impact Report. 

• The business also led the way on inclusion and diversity in visual storytelling, with 61% of its marketing collaborations featuring underrepresented groups, also sponsoring 15 visual storytelling initiatives focused on diversity and inclusivity.

• MPB sourced 45% of its electricity from renewable sources, maintained plastic-free packaging across the year and sent zero waste to landfill. The company’s carbon footprint decreased due to increased fuel efficiencies.

MPB, the largest global platform to buy, sell and trade used photo and video gear, has published its first-ever Impact Report for FY23, detailing how the business is performing against its sustainability strategy and the commitments it has made.  

MPB’s sustainability strategy is based on three themes across which the company invests and tracks its progress: Circular and Renewable, Inclusive and Diverse, and Trusted and Ethical.

MPB has committed to publishing an Impact Report annually, acting as a reporting mechanism to measure and improve its sustainability performance. 

Across its Circular and renewable goals, the business reported that it recirculated 485,000 cameras, lenses and accessories, a 39% increase on FY22 (350,000 items).

This follows the news that in 2022, 45% of the business’ electricity was from renewable generation, with 100% renewable electricity fuelling the Berlin site. FY23 also saw the launch of MPB’s new online platform, which has resulted in a faster, more efficient customer and employee experience, and a 75% reduction in CO2 emissions for quote and checkout journeys compared to its previous platform.

With regard to waste, MPB sent zero waste to landfill, instead averaging 70% recycling of waste across its three sites, including all paper, card, glass, cans and plastics, with the remaining 'mixed waste' processed into energy. MPB’s own packaging continues to be plastic-free and fully recyclable. 

These efforts culminated in the award of an overall 'A-' rating in the 2022 Circulytics assessment, a tool created by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to measure the extent to which businesses are applying and integrating circular principles. 

Looking ahead, the business has set a goal to be circular for all purchased or leased goods used in its operations, to transition to 100% renewable electricity, and to reach net zero emissions in buildings and data centers by 2030.

In FY23, MPB took a proactive approach to inclusive recruitment, promoting representation and supporting initiatives that promote access, inclusion and environmental stewardship. 

To promote inclusion and diversity in visual storytelling, 61% of its marketing collaborations, original content and advertising featured individuals from at least one underrepresented group (183 of 301 MPB marketing assets). Within this, 51% featured women, 25% featured non-white people, 6% featured LGBTQIA people and 3% featured people with disabilities.

Through internal surveys, the report found an equal gender split at the executive management level with 50% of these roles held by women. 56% of senior managers are women, and 35% of all managerial roles across the business are occupied by female employees.

MPB’s sponsorship of partner events, awards or platforms throughout the year included the One Tree Planted reforestation platform, the SheClicks international community of female photographers and the EyeMama project, which supports the work of photographers who identify as mothers.

The business has decided to take their commitments further by commencing a visual storytelling fee equity benchmarking exercise to ensure that MPB pays equivalent fees for equivalent work. MPB will report on the progress of this exercise in its FY24 Impact report.

Commenting on the report, Matt Barker, CEO of MPB said:

“MPB was founded with two goals: to turn the online buying and selling of used photo and video gear into a trustworthy and efficient process, and to build a sustainable business that would grow and endure. Today, I am proud to say that MPB is the largest global platform enabling photographers, videographers and content creators to buy and sell used gear, and one that remains committed to its purpose, to open up the world of visual storytelling in a way that is good for both people and the planet.” 

“FY23 was our most successful year yet, across both these goals: we are very proud of achieving an A- rating in Circulytics, reaching zero waste to landfill and 45% renewable electricity across our operations and ensuring that our content and advertising showcases visual storytellers from underrepresented groups."

“As someone who has been scaling a circular business for over a decade, I know that there are no shortcuts. It takes teamwork, focus and commitment from investors, management, employees and business partners; and I’m looking forward to taking this to the next level at MPB.”

Read the full MPB Impact Report FY23