Message from the Acting CEO – Michelle Thomas

It’s with great anticipation and excitement that we bid farewell to 2019 and embark on a new year with GECA! We’re paving the way and finding new opportunities to provide solutions for sustainable consumption and production.

Let’s be real. After a challenging end to 2019 which once again highlighted the negative impacts we are making on our planet, we need to recognise the value of working together to find solutions for a sustainable future for both people and planet.

Sustainable Living Fabrics

Sustainable Living Fabrics are leaders in environmental fabrics for upholstery and vertical surfaces. We recently spoke to them about the sustainability challenges in their sector and the role of GECA certification in driving positive change.

Have Your Say on GECA’s New Sustainable Products and Services Standard!

A new draft GECA standard for sustainable products and services is now available for public comment! The Sustainable Products and Services (Life Cycle Assessment based) standard is a fusion of an ecolabel and a Life Cycle Assessment.

Time for a Tree Change

After over 4 years in the role, GECA would like to announce that Kate Harris is moving on to new pastures.

“On behalf of the Board and whole GECA team, I would like to thank Kate for her passion and determination to promote sustainable production and consumption, and for our mission at GECA,” said Board Chair Patrick Walker.

Abco Urges the Use of Sustainable Cleaning Products Ahead of Clean Up Australia Day

Ahead of Clean up Australia Day, commercial cleaning supplier Abco has announced the formal release of their exclusive new GECA certified cleaning products, the Enviroplus range.

Team GECA Is Running for Wild Places

In April Team GECA will be getting out of the office and taking part in Run for Wild Places - a new trail running challenge with a mission. Click below to find out more and to help us raise funds to protect wild places!

GECA Helps Clear the Air at the Australian Climate Action Summit

Judith Schinabeck, GECA’s Standards & Technical Manager, represented us earlier this month at the Australian Climate Action Summit hosted by the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia. The Summit provided a platform for Australian businesses, not-for-profits, academia, city and state government policymakers and community members to ‘Clear the Air’ and engage on carbon reduction strategies.

Exploring Innovations and Trends in Recycled Materials

In February, Sustainability Victoria held the Recycled Materials – Innovations and Trends forum at Melbourne’s RMIT University. GECA’s Business Development and Project Manager, Jess Mutton, attended the forum to understand some of the latest research into sustainable products that may soon emerge onto the market.

Meet Our New and Freshly Recertified Licensees! 

We're thrilled to welcome Anibou Furniture and Ningbo AOKE Office Equipment to the GECA licensee family and celebrate the wins of some familiar faces!

Choosing Sustainable Accommodation - Webinar

We recently had the opportunity to speak to Kate Read, Sustainability Engagement Coordinator at City of Sydney, who is supporting the delivery of their 5-year strategic plan to make Sydney a sustainable destination.

LAST CHANCE - INDE.Awards 2020

Entries close soon for INDE.Awards, the Indo-Pacific’s first and only regional design awards program. The INDE.Awards are a chance for architects and designers in the region to share their legacy with an era-defining accolade to celebrate an exceptional decade in design. Entries will close at midnight on 6 March.

Sydney Build 2020
19-20 March, Sydney

Sydney Build is Australia’s leading construction, design and infrastructure expo, attracting thousands of contractors, architects, specifiers, developers, government agencies, designers, councils, associations, house builders, engineers, suppliers and construction professionals. GECA’s Head of Engagement & Marketing, Paula Clasby, will be presenting on Finding Success Through Championing Sustainability as part of the Sustainable Construction Summit.

Women In Procurement & Supply Chain 2020
24-26 March, Sydney

Women in Procurement & Supply Chain offers the definitive forum for procurement and supply chain professionals, to further their knowledge and careers in this dynamic and innovative space. GECA’s community will receive a 10% discount off the registration fee by using the discount code ‘GECA10’ when booking.

TRANSFORM 2020
24-25 March, Sydney

TRANSFORM is the Green Building Council of Australia’s flagship conference on sustainability in the built environment. There will be a mix of inspirational, thought-provoking plenary sessions and interactive, deep-dive breakout sessions, including one on human rights and supply chains, featuring GECA’s Standards & Technical Manager.

Waste 2020 Conference
5-7 May, Coffs Habour

The Waste 2020 Conference features over 140 national and international presenters who share their knowledge, experience, case studies and insight into the waste industry. Our Strategic Communications Manager, Kendall Benton-Collins, will be presenting on how our Waste Collection Services standard contributes to a circular economy.

Supply Chain Innovation 2020
26-27 May, Sydney

Supply Chain Innovation 2020 is about exploring and examining this decade’s innovation trends across not just technology, but current and upcoming customer and workplace trends. GECA's Acting CEO, Michelle Thomas, will be participating in a panel exploring how making small changes across your supply chain can lead to significant benefits, not only for the environment, community and stakeholders but also in savings and productivity.

• The Legacy Responsible Fashion Summit [25-26 March, Sydney]

• Living Future Institute of Australia's Biophilic Design Workshop [31 March, Sydney]
   
• SDGs Showcase: 2020 UN & Australia Sustainable Partnerships Forum [15-16 April, Melbourne]
   
• National Energy Efficiency Conference 2020 [26-27 May, Melbourne]