Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) is pleased to welcome Patrick Walker as the new Chair of GECA.

Patrick has been a member of the GECA Board of Directors for over four years, as well as being Chair of GECA’s Business Development Committee.

“This is an exciting time to be taking on the role of Chair,” said Mr. Walker. “GECA has an important role to play in fostering sustainable consumption, and the Board, CEO and GECA team are all passionate about making a real difference to the behaviour of producers and consumers in the years ahead.” Read more.

Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) has released a new standard for cement, concrete and concrete products, and is now welcoming applications for certification.

The standard, which covers a range of conventional and alternative cements and concrete products, was developed following extensive consultation with industry professionals. It seeks to support and reward manufacturers who make efforts to minimise the environmental, health and social impacts of cement and concrete production. Read more.

The final round of discussions for the forthcoming ISO20400 International Standard for Sustainable Procurement has taken place, and the standard is due for release this year.

In December 2016, representatives from multiple countries met in Rio, Brazil, to finalise the standard, which is designed to provide guidance for organisations seeking to incorporate sustainability principles in their procurement policies and practices. Read more about the meeting and the release of ISO20400 here.

(Pictured: Shaila Divakarla, Planet Procurement's Jean-Louis Haie, and Tanya Harris from the Fred Hollows Foundation, at the ISO20400 meeting in Brazil.)

Registrations are now open for Clean Up Australia Day 2017! We're celebrating 15 years of Business Clean Up Day and now is the perfect time to be seen as an industry leader in staff mobilisation and sustainability goals.

Clean Up Australia Day generates excellent media coverage and support from a host of community, media and political sources. The Business Clean Up Day for 2017 will happen on Tuesday, 28 February.

To get involved, create a Clean Up Site, become a business supporter, or contact Clean Up Australia to find out how you can improve your sustainability. Contact Paula if you'd like to join the GECA team on the day.

Because when the rubbish is gone, nature can carry on.

Join us at Green Cities in Sydney from 6-8 March 2017!

Co-hosted annually by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the Property Council of Australia (Property Council), Green Cities is Australia’s premier sustainability conference for the built environment. GECA is proud to be a Display Sponsor alongside Zenith Interiors for the event.

In 2017 we’re fast forwarding to the future – thinking ahead of the curve to plan for the here and now. Register today.

Total Facilities presents two days of discussion and discovery for Facilities Managers and like-minded professionals. It combines Australia’s largest offering of innovative facility products and services with forward-thinking strategies to optimise facility and workplace performance. The event will be held from 29-30 March 2017 at the International Convention Centre, Sydney.

GECA is proud to be a Supporting Partner of the event, as well as exhibiting and getting involved with the series of free educational seminars. Plus, GECA licensees can get a 10% discount to exhibit at the event! Contact Paula for more information.

Sydney Build is back for 2017! GECA is proud to be a Supporting Partner, as well as exhibiting and presenting at the event, which runs from 30-31 March 2017 at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion. Kate will be speaking about how to source, design and use sustainable materials to build a healthy, sustainable home.

Sydney Build 2017 will feature new exhibitors, speakers and themes, covering everything from sustainability to digital construction and BIM. There are also prize giveaways, networking opportunities and CPD points available.

Attendance is free - find out more and register here today.

Baseline Commercial Furniture has recently certified the Alti.i workstation base with GECA, under our Furniture, Fittings & Foam standard.

Alti.i is electric height adjustable with a height range of 645mm to 1295mm. With telescopic support beams, the Alti.i workstation is suitable to a width of 1200mm to 1600mm and up to an 1800mm worktop with a 100mm overhang on either side. Large frames and winder height adjustability are available upon request.

The 26th annual FLICKERFEST International and Australian awards were announced on 14 January at a star-studded ceremony at the Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach. GECA's Kate Harris was part of the jury for Greenflicks, films with an environmental focus, and presented the Good Environmental Choice Australia Special Jury Prize.

So who were the winners? Click here to find out!

Now's the time to enter the 4th International Green Interior Awards! This is your unique opportunity to gain global recognition for interior spaces or products you created that are healthy for people and our planet. Open to interior designers, fit-out designers, interior stylists, architects, manufacturers, suppliers, associated professionals and students.

For entry details check out the website. GECA is proud to be an Industry Supporter of the Awards and would like to wish all entrants the best of luck!

What is a "Type 1 ecolabel", and how are they different from other environmental labels on the market? Where does GECA fit in the international landscape, and how can we know which international sustainability labels are best?

US-based Green Seal hosted a webinar on January 12 this year to answer these questions. Hear from presenters including GECA's Shaila Divakarla as they take you through why Type 1 ecolabels are important and how they work. You can watch Part 1 of the webinar here, and follow up with Part 2.