Welcome to this month's edition of Good Environmental News
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Wishing you all the best for the Christmas season and the new year ahead!
It's been another massive year for GECA! You can read all about what we've been up to in our 2017 Annual Review.
As we wrap up 2017, we'd love to encourage you all to have a safe, relaxing and sustainable festive season. Spend time with your loved ones, save the leftovers from Christmas lunch, and resist the temptation to spend up big on things you don't need in the end-of-year sales hype!
We're looking forward to another big year driving sustainable consumption and production - see you again in 2018.
Bureau Veritas now accredited to audit GECA scheme
Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) is pleased to announce that Bureau Veritas has achieved JAS-ANZ accreditation and has commenced auditing and certification for products and services seeking GECA certification.
“We are thrilled to have Bureau Veritas on board with us to conduct audits for GECA,” said GECA’s CEO, Kate Harris. “Having a third JAZ-ANZ accredited auditing company available means more room for GECA to grow, more competitive options for auditing available to our wonderful licensees, and ultimately a greater range of trusted certified products and services available on the market.”
Sydney Build 2018
Join us at Sydney Build Expo 2018, a leading construction exhibition focusing exclusively on construction projects and opportunities in Sydney and New South Wales. The event is held from 15-16 March 2018 at Moore Park, Sydney.
Hear from GECA and over 60 other leading speakers at a range of workshops. Come visit us at the GECA 'Materials in Mind' pod, an interactive showcase of sustainable building materials! You can read more about the pod here.
Freshly recertified
Camatic have recently renewed their GECA certification, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to having a lower environmental, health and social impact!
Camatic is the first company in Australia to manufacture commercial and venues seating from design concept right through to finished product in a single location. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s new designs and seating concepts were successfully introduced into the office, theatre and stadium markets, resulting in the company becoming the largest manufacturer of theatre and stadium seats in Australia.
GECA team changes
This month we say goodbye to two of our longest standing staff members who have made a wonderful contribution to GECA over many years. They have both been an integral and important part of our team who have been valued as employees and indeed our friends.
We also officially extend a warm welcome to two new members of the GECA team, who will bring their unique passion, expertise and fresh insights to the office!
Farewell Shaila Divakarla
Shaila Divakarla has been GECA's Standards and Technical Manager since 2014, bringing a wealth of architectural knowledge and technical expertise to the standards team.
"Shaila has been a much loved member of our team and has been integral at driving and growing our standards in their relevance, breadth and depth - not only for GECA, but ultimately industry and our community," said GECA's CEO, Kate Harris.
"Shaila will be greatly missed, but we are glad for you that you are returning to your roots and creative passion of architecture and sustainability in design for the built environment. You have left a wonderful legacy within our organisation and our team."
Welcome Judith Schinabeck
GECA is pleased to welcome Judith Schinabeck as our new Standards and Technical Manager! Judith is a civil and environmental engineer with expertise in life cycle assessment, energy efficient buildings, green building and sustainability strategies in urban planning.
Judith is a Green Star Accredited Professional (Performance) and has worked as a Research Associate with the University of New South Wales, a researcher and lecturer with Technical University Munich, and as a sustainability consultant for many years. She will officially join the GECA team in late January 2018.
Farewell Emma Berthold
GECA's Communications Officer, Emma Berthold, is moving on after a transition over several years to a profession in science communication and education. She is moving to an exciting new role as a science communicator.
"You may not know Emma, but you will know her words and stories over many years," said GECA's CEO, Kate Harris.
"Emma is a passionate change maker and writer who has the art of turning complex scientific concepts into simple and engaging language. We thank you for your amazing contribution and your words of wisdom over many years of
dedication to GECA and our passion for good products for planet and people."
Welcome Kendall Benton-Collins
We are thrilled to officially welcome Kendall Benton-Collins to the GECA team! Kendall has been working hard behind the scenes with GECA on the Positive Procurement Pledge, and will step into a larger role next year as our Digital Marketing Officer.
She is a digital marketing specialist and sustainability advocate who has driven the communications and marketing campaigns for a range of non-profit organisations focused on ethical fashion, sustainable consumption, and wildlife conservation.
Shaw Contract Group signs UN Global Compact
Earlier this year, GECA signed the UN Global Compact - and we are excited to share that GECA licensee, Shaw Contract Group, have also committed to upholding the principles of the Compact throughout its supply chain.
“The UN Global Compact and its principles align with our culture and operations,” noted Vance D. Bell, chairman and CEO at Shaw. “Becoming a signatory and enhancing our sourcing policies is a natural extension of our ongoing sustainability efforts. We believe this to be essential to creating a better future while ensuring long-term financial success.”
Registrations for Clean Up Australia Day 2018 are now open
Clean Up Australia’s mission is to inspire and work with communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment.
In the past 26 years, Australians have devoted more than 32 million hours towards the environment through Clean Up Australia Day and collected over 331 thousand tonnes of rubbish.
In 2017 Clean Up Australia Day supported 520 000 volunteers who collected the equivalent of 14 000 ute loads of rubbish.
To get involved, join GECA for Business Clean Up Australia Day on 27 February 2018! You can sign up to join our clean up site through this link. If you register before Christmas for a Business Clean Up you will go in the draw to win a 2 Litre keg from iKegger!
For other ways to get involved in 2018 visit Clean Up Australia Day.
Hospitality, sustainability, and you
We discuss why cleaning product manufacturers with a lower environmental, health and social impact across their operations are well-placed to engage with an industry that is realising the importance of going green.
