Welcome to this month's edition of Good Environmental News
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Your newsletter's new look!
Have you had a chance to check out our new website yet? We've given it a total overhaul, making it even easier for you to find products and services with a lower environmental, health and social impact.
We've also launched our new logo, which has been given a modern update - and our new-look newsletter, too.
GECA launches new furniture standards
GECA has released the updated and significantly revised versions of its two furniture standards. Both standards have been officially recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), with the Furniture, Fittings, Foam and Mattresses standard at Level A and the Furniture and Fittings standard at Level B.
Green + Building 2017
Don't miss Green + Building Exhibition 2017! It's the event for building and construction industry professionals to find equipment, materials, hardware, technology and services all in one place, from 7-8 July at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
GECA's Kate Harris will be speaking on the future of sustainable procurement. You can come and say hi to GECA at our stall at D14, and visit our licensee Wattyl at D15 as well.
Leading the way: what is leadership in sustainability?
Whether you want guidance for your own leadership journey, an energy recharge from hearing others' 'war stories' or you have a burning question on leadership, this is the night for you. Hear from panelists including GECA's Kate Harris, Transport for NSW's Stuart Hodgson, and Qantas' Megan Flynn, about leadership in sustainability.
6pm, Wednesday 19 July, Sydney
4th International Green Interior Awards Celebration
Come and celebrate the inspiring, fabulous designers, manufacturers and students, from around the world, who put their heart and soul into creating interior projects and innovative products that respect the health of people and our planet.
6pm, Thursday 27 July, Sydney
Sydney Indesign 2017
Sydney Indesign brings together members of the architecture, building, construction and design industries in a creative format that’s immersive and interactive, social and fun. GECA is proud to be a Strategic Partner for the event this year - and we'll have an exciting project to share with you, so watch this space!
11-12 August, Sydney
Should we rethink sustainable waste?
With the amount of reporting required, accurate statistics and data covering all aspects of waste management, from generation and collection to recycling and disposal, is vital. The key word here, though, is ‘accurate’ – and this is where clients are looking for service providers they can trust.
Smarter supply chains lead to better risk management, sustainable projects and business opportunities
New research published this week by the Supply Chain Sustainability School shows that greater sustainability knowledge in construction and infrastructure supply chains is increasingly helping to minimise risk and improve how business is done, leading to higher quality outcomes with no additional cost. “Almost a third, or 32 per cent, of School members have seen economic, environmental or social benefits from improved supply chains,” Robin Mellon, CEO of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, explains.
Business benefits of sustainability standards
What is the business value of using sustainability standards? How do these benefits differ for businesses along the supply chain? This ISEAL webinar shares insights from new research on the business benefits of using sustainability standards, and look into what these benefits are.
Reducing supply chain risk
Kate Harris and Shaila Divakarla's paper, "Supply Chain Risk to Reward: Responsible Procurement and the Role of Ecolabels" has recently been published in Procedia Engineering, a peer-reviewed journal. The paper was originally presented at the 2016 International High-Performance Built Environment Conference (iHBE 2016) and is now freely available to read.
The Banksia Awards
Entries are now open for the 2017 Banksia Awards!
The Banksia Sustainability Awards are the longest-running sustainability awards in Australia and reward Australian individuals, communities, businesses and government for their innovation, achievement and commitment to sustainability. Find out more and enter today.
Green Gown Awards
Many tertiary institutions are now involved in sustainability projects but how can they let others know about it? Being recognised in the Green Gown Awards Australasia can have huge benefits: within your institution; the local community; the wider sector and even globally. GECA will be on the judging panel, so get your entries in today.
Green Globe Awards
The NSW Government's Green Globe Awards celebrate excellence in environmental sustainability. They recognise organisations and individuals who lead the way in making New South Wales a place where people and nature thrive. Nominations are now open - entries close 27 June 2017.
The Sustainability Awards
For over a decade, Architecture & Design has held the Sustainability Awards, an awards program devoted to sustainable building.
GECA's Kate Harris is one of the judges this year - because GECA, like Architecture & Design, believes sustainability should be the primary requirement for all building design and the major measure of architectural achievement. Enter today.
Freshly recertified: Astec Paints
Astec Paints have renewed their commitment to making paints with a lower environmental, health and social impact by re-certifying with GECA this month!
Astec Paints is a South Australian owned paints and coatings manufacturer that has been operating in Adelaide since 1978. Check out their range of GECA certified premium interior and exterior paints and coatings for your next project.
Welcome to our new interns
This week, we have two interns joining the GECA team from City University, Hong Kong. Christy will be working with our marketing team, and Isabel will provide additional support to the standards team. Welcome to the team, Christy and Isabel! We look forward to working with you.
Clean Up Australia has teamed up with The Project to call for a ban on single use disposable plastic bags in NSW, VIC and WA – the only states that haven’t yet introduced or proposed a ban. In the last decade, 1.2 billion plastic bags have ended up in the Australian litter stream, where they have a huge negative impact on the health of Australian wildlife. You can watch The Project clip, and even if your state has already backed a ban you can still show your support and Sign the Petition to encourage the remaining three states to come on board and #BanTheBag.
Plastic Free July
As well as saying 'no' to plastic bags, take the challenge to reduce and refuse all single-use plastic during Plastic Free July.
Every bit of plastic ever made still exists and in the first 10 years of this century the world economy produced more plastic than the entire 1900's! Be a part of the solution and start finding new ways to reduce your use of plastic.
