Orange Sky has been innovating since we began in 2014
Innovation has been at the heart of Orange Sky since the beginning. Our co-founders Nic and Lucas turned an idea into the world’s first mobile laundry van and named it ‘Sudsy’.
We continually push the limits of what’s possible, seeking innovative ways to extend our reach and impact. Every day, we explore new ideas to ensure that we keep growing and meeting community needs with fresh, effective approaches.
Why is innovation important?
Innovation is an important tool to ensure that we are able to:
Past Innovations
We constantly innovate to meet community needs, from refining our van designs to customising laundry vehicles for remote locations. Our creations, like the Waru Dryer and community laundromats, continue to evolve and expand our impact. Here are just a few examples of our past innovations.
Waru Dryers, Why?
To make our services more energy efficient.
Our Waru Dryers run on a diesel heater which is supported by solar power. The clothes are still dried like a normal tumble dryer, however the hot air that removes the moisture from the clothes is heated by a fuel-powered air heater rather than a typical electrical heating element. The name ‘Waru’ translates to ‘fire’ in Pitjantjatjara language. This is in reference to the land where the artwork was created. Our Waru Dryers appear in most Orange Sky vehicles and laundry pods across the country.
Solar Powered Vans, why?
We wanted to reduce our diesel consumption and carbon footprint.
In 2022 we upgraded our existing fleet of laundry and shower vehicles to significantly reduce our environmental impact, maximise service reliability, simplify and reduce the cost of maintenance and improve the overall experience for volunteers and people who use our service. The addition of solar panels and our innovative Waru Dryer means that Orange Sky reduced CO2-e and electrical consumption generated by our shifts.
Laundry Pods, Why?
We wanted a new service model to help us support communities more efficiently.
Orange Sky laundry pods are standalone structures equipped with two washing machines and two Waru Dryers, carrying out the same trusted and free service which can be accessed by anyone in need. The laundry pods are now in their 2nd version and often placed in smaller communities to deliver our service more efficiently.
Remote Vehicle 3.0, Why?
We needed a vehicle designed for the rugged remote roads and conditions.
The Remote Vehicle 3.0 contains three washing machines and three Waru Dryers, and is powered by REDARC solar panels, lithium batteries and charging system to reduce our electrical consumption by up to 80% per shift. The washing machines are made to deliver hot washes, to ensure high hygiene wash standards.This vehicle is better suited to the rugged Australian terrain and harsh conditions compared to our traditional laundry vans.
Laundromats, Why?
To support local communities and businesses, delivering large volumes of washing for people in need.
The ‘Laundromat of the Future’ is all about partnering with amazing laundromat businesses who are keen to support Orange Sky’s mission by allowing our same trusted service to regularly run from their location. Regular paying patrons of the laundromat can also ‘pay it forward’ and contribute some of their payment to Orange Sky’s services. This new service means larger quantities of washing can be carried out in an efficient way and we are able to support local businesses to increase their patron volume and sales.
Pick Up Drop Off Laundry, Why?
To reach more people who may not be able to access our traditional services.
In the midst of the cost of living crisis and rising rents, we know that there are many people who may not visit our regular shifts but are still struggling. The ‘Pick Up Drop Off Laundry’ shift model is where Orange Sky volunteers visit a location where individuals and families are temporarily housed in crisis accommodation, which often don’t have adequate on-site laundry facilities.Half of the volunteers take the laundry to a local laundromat to wash and dry the belongings while the other half stay at the location to connect with families, kids, parents and individuals who are grateful to have a chat.
Volaby, Why?
To develop tool and features which made it easier for volunteering organisations to create, engage and activate teams of volunteers.
In 2018, Orange Sky won the Google Impact Challenge with a view to develop its own volunteer management software from first-hand experience in the sector, to help like-minded organisations scale their community impact.After years of playing in this new area, we grew our understanding of the needs of organisations, and the needs of incredible volunteers across the sector. In April 2024, we made the tough decision to not continue Volaby and instead hand it over to a like minded organisation to run and continue to support the sector. At Orange Sky, we embrace the understanding that not every innovative idea or program will succeed, but we see each attempt as a vital step in the learning process and a testament to the spirit of innovation.
The F Word Podcast, why?
To give justice to the stories that make Orange Sky; the emotional, empowering stories of its friends, volunteers and supporters.
"Many remote communities lack access to basic facilities like washing machines, and those available often break down with no nearby technicians to fix them. Since introducing the RV3.0 vehicle to Wadeye with our partner TDC, the community response has been overwhelming. The laundry van not only meets the high demand for laundry services, but it brings together different families and clan groups, which is a beautiful outcome.”
Judith Meiklejohn, Orange Sky Senior Impact Manager in Remote Communities
FAQs
Who innovates at Orange Sky?
As part of our commitment of striving to improve, all staff are provided training in innovative practices. We also have formed a staff team “Team Delta” who work together to form ideas, build strategies and bring our trials to life.
Why is innovation important?
Orange Sky was built on an innovative idea. We thrive on being continually innovative to solve problems, increase our productivity, reach more people doing it tough and make a greater impact.
Why was Team Delta established?
Team Delta was established in 2020, to enable the ideation, testing and development of new projects with the goal of tripling our impact by helping 40,000 people experiencing homelessness by FY 2025.
Reach out to the Innovation team to chat