Welcome to the latest edition of Good Environmental News!
No Images? Click here
Sanitary Products
We’re excited to share our new fast-tracked Sanitary Products (SPv1.0-2019) standard! With this standard, GECA seeks to set the benchmark in Australia for environmentally preferable sanitary products.
GECA Supports Built Environment Reaching Net Zero Carbon Emissions
Together, building and construction are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world. GECA is proud to be a signatory to the World Green Building Council’s bold new vision for how buildings and infrastructure around the world can reach 40% less embodied carbon emissions by 2030, and achieve 100% net zero emissions buildings by 2050.
Looking to the Future of Ecolabelling
GECA is the only Australian member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), a not-for-profit association founded in 1994 to help improve, develop and promote ecolabelling, and all members must meet requirements including following ISO 14024. This year GEN celebrates 25 years of promoting sustainable production and consumption! Environmental Journalist Angelina Davydova asked GEN's board, including GECA's CEO Kate Harris, to reflect on the road so far and where it's heading.
Property Council of Australia Launches Modern Slavery Platform
With the introduction of the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018, large businesses and other entities will be required to publish annual statements describing their actions to assess and address the risks of modern slavery within their supply chains. A collaboration with corporate social responsibility tech platform Informed 365, will allow the Property Council of Australia's members to assess and report on their supply chain networks more easily through a single online platform which collects, compares and shares data on all suppliers.
Participate in Supply Chain Sustainability School's Resource Review
This November, the School will begin its review of topics and resources. This is your chance to participate and showcase how your organisation's policies and practices, projects, publications, products and services align with their suite of resources on sustainability and the built environment.
Leaders in the Green Economy Celebrate World Ecolabel Day
Shoppers, purchasers and manufacturers around the globe will celebrate leading green products and services on World Ecolabel Day on 17 October. Ecolabels from nearly 60 countries, including GECA, will be highlighted as the preferred labels to reduce impacts on people and our planet.
E-waste Social Enterprise Wins Premier’s Sustainability Award
The Premier’s Recognition Award was won at the recent Premier’s Sustainability Awards in Victoria by Enable Social Enterprises for their work employing disadvantaged people in a successful e-waste business.
Modern Slavery Act - Guidance for Reporting Entities
The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has now released their Guidance for Reporting Entities for the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018. This guide aims to clearly explain what entities need to do to comply with the Act.
Why the Future of Supply Chains is Symbiotic
An essential aspect of having a fully evolved procurement process in your organisation is the quality of your relationships with your suppliers. This means infusing your relationships with authentic dialogue, mutual respect and a spirit of inclusion. Our latest article in INCLEAN magazine explores how organisations can create a more sustainable and prosperous future by investing in truly symbiotic connections throughout their supply chain.
The Journey Towards Strategic Sustainable Procurement
Advisory firm Action Sustainability has released a benchmarking study assessing the alignment of 40 organisations with the ISO 20400:2017 sustainable procurement guidance. The organisations assessed covered around $100billion in annual spend and included a wide range of industries such as construction, energy, rail and retail.
eWater Systems
We’re thrilled to welcome our new licensee eWater Systems, who recently certified under our Cleaning Products and Personal Care Products standards. eWater Systems pride themselves on helping businesses around Australia reduce their dependence on harsh chemicals for hygiene and infection control.
Responsible Products & Materials
22 October, Sydney |
29 October, Melbourne
GBCA is pleased to be hosting the one-day seminar: Responsible Products and Materials, Tackling the challenges of the modern supply chain. The discussions will be led by industry leaders and subject matter experts sharing their knowledge and learnings about how to drive change in materials and influence our supply chains. The agenda covers a wide range of topics from material certifications, selection processes, supply chain transparency, upfront embodied carbon, circular applications and latest innovations.
ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo
23 - 24 October, Melbourne
Join GECA at Australia’s only dedicated cleaning and hygiene expo! This two-day event will feature cutting edge products and services and in-depth education sessions and workshops. We'll be there showcasing the fantastic products and services certified under our Cleaning Products and Cleaning Services standards.
Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo
30 - 31 October, Sydney
GECA is proud to be a Supporting Partner of the Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo (AWRE). Our CEO, Kate Harris, will be participating in the panel – State of Waste: 18 months post-China Sword are we making any progress? Team GECA will also be exhibiting at stand A37. Up to 3,000 waste management professionals, business leaders and government representatives are expected to attend the two-day event.
Architecture & Design's Sustainability Live 2019
7 November, Sydney
Sustainability Live is CPD-endorsed day of panel discussions and presentations, which aims to encourage discussion and awareness of the sustainability challenges facing the architecture and design industry. Join industry experts, thought leaders and other like-minded professionals to explore a range of topics including evolving Indigenous design, adaptive re-use and disruptive sustainable city technologies. GECA subscribers can apply discount code SAVE50 at the checkout and save $50 off full-priced, final release tickets.
Procurement Week
12 - 13 November, Sydney
GECA is proud to be a Supporting Partner of the 2nd annual Procurement Week! Our CEO Kate Harris will be speaking at Day One's Healthprocure stream and Day Two's Construction, Mining & Energy Procurement stream. Topics will include improving strategic alliances, embracing a human-centred approach to drive transformation and ensuring indigenous businesses benefit from your procurement.
