Sustainable procurement is designed to take into account the environmental, social and economic impacts of purchased goods and services for a business. Often such guidance is provided in the form of a policy document which may have been written by, or in consultation with, a procurement professional.

But how can professionals know exactly what constitutes sustainable or “green” procurement? Without a background in sustainable purchasing or a solid working knowledge of the surrounding issues, it can be challenging to know what sort of criteria to include in a policy document, or which products and services meet those criteria.

We've put together a helpful guide for writing a sustainable procurement policy and making sure it gets followed - check it out here.

GECA has been busy developing strategies so that we can have an even bigger impact in making sustainable consumption choices easier. We're now seeking a new Chief Executive Officer to set our plans into action.

We're looking for someone who is tenacious, focused and driven to convert ideas and opportunities into activities that create impact. Our new CEO will be a strong leader with excellent communication and networking skills and commited to evidenced-based decision making. 

This role provides the opportunity to be a true social entrepreneur and transform the actions of business and consumers to drive a substantial increase in the sustainability of consumption.

For more details and to apply for the position, see the job listing on Ethical Jobs.

Ecolabels help to verify that a product genuinely has a lower environmental and health impact, guiding consumers in their purchasing decisions.

They also give products an extra boost of recognition when it comes to sustainability rating schemes such as Green Star. And now, thanks to recent developments in Europe, it looks like public procurement policy could potentially influence the demand for ecolabelled products in Australia, too.

“Public procurement” refers to the purchasing of any goods and services by government organisations, and in Europe, for example, it constitutes between 15 and 20 per cent of its GDP. Any changes in policy that affect the sourcing of goods and services therefore have a significant impact on suppliers.

This is why it’s interesting to note that the public procurement market in Europe is set to adopt new EU directives that give greater preference to product labels, standards and certifications. Read the full story on Sourceable.

Our friends at Good On You are developing a new app to help consumers make better choices about what they buy, especially when it comes to ethical fashion.

The Good On You App makes it easier than ever before to find brands and companies that do better by their workers, the environment and animals.

By using the Good On You app, you and millions of others will turn your shopping choices into votes for a better world. Your votes will force brands to consider their environmental impact and to treat their workers fairly throughout their supply chain.

It's set to launch in September this year, and they've started a crowdfunding campaign to ensure more brands are rated for their ethical credentials. The campaign has a great list of rewards for those who pledge their support - you can find a full list of rewards and more information about the app here.

GECA licensee KE-ZU has two stylish new seating options available: the Forum (pictured above) and the Nido. Both the armchairs meet GECA's Furniture and Fittings standard.

Forum is available in a range of wood finishes and "provides a distinctive foundation for tailoried fabric". Nido (Spanish for 'nest') consists of a hand-crafted ash wood frame and a cosy seat with multiple fabric options.

KE-ZU is especially committed to ensuring the furniture and its packaging has been designed and manufactured with considerable thought to ecology. 

Tissues, toilet paper, and paper towels. They’re all such basic, essential everyday products that we barely give them a second thought. Perhaps if we’re particularly eco-conscious, we’ll choose products made from recycled materials or from sustainably managed forests (both excellent ideas), but that’s probably the only issue we’ve ever really considered beyond price and product performance.

However, the process of creating these products is more complex than you might believe, and there are a number of occasions for hazardous substances to sneak in to the process, or for environmental impacts to be felt.

This story first appeared in The Executive Housekeeper magazine volume 19 number 1, where you can read the full story, or check out GECA's Sanitary Paper Products standard.

SEE Sustainable Experience is on right now! Held in Brisbane until 20 June, SEE Sustainable Experience is focussed on protecting and promoting Queensland’s built environment by providing a unique showcase of sustainable products and solutions underpinned by education.

SEE Sustainable Experience ties together case studies with sustainable solutions while offering integrated educational options within a value-led and relaxed networking environment.

It’s a perfect event for visitors to meet suppliers and manufacturers who are at the leading edge of the sustainable building industry in Australia, and GECA is proud to be a Supporting Partner. For more information, check out the SEE Sustainable Experience website.