Standards, Stockholm & Systems for Change

The last few months have been a wonderful time for GECA in terms of events, education and engagement. We have been out and about contributing to the wider conversation around sustainable leadership and how we can all work together to find a better way of doing things across the globe. I have been privileged to be involved in three such events this month.

What You Should Know About: Carpets

Despite that comforting feeling underfoot, carpets can have a range of environmental and health impacts just like any other product. We've put together this handy guide to make life easier when you're shopping for a sustainable carpet.

Creating a Space for Nature

During their recent Green Building Day event, the Green Building Council of Australia launched a bold new discussion paper - Building with Nature: Prioritising Ecology and Biodiversity for Better Buildings and Cities. 

Our Standards and Technical Manager, Judith Schinabeck, shares her thoughts.

Architecture & Design's 
Sustainability Awards

Entries for the 12th annual Sustainability Awards close at 11.59pm on 30 June. The awards celebrate those who design, manufacture and construct green buildings of all sizes and purposes. We're proud that GECA's Kate Harris is on the jury, along with other world-class industry experts. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on October 11, 2018. 

A Snapshot of Modern Slavery

The agriculture, construction, manufacturing, mining, utilities and domestic services sectors, appear to be modern slavery hotspots.

In the latest issue of CIBSE Australia and New Zealand's Engineering Buildings journal, GECA staff members Yanyan Xiao and Kendall Benton-Collins provide a snapshot on why modern slavery is everyone's business. 

GECA Named Best For the World in Governance

GECA is thrilled to be recognised for creating innovative governance structures to protect our mission for the long term. The 2018 Best For World lists are based on an independent, comprehensive assessment administered by the nonprofit B Lab.

Shaw Contract Goes
Carbon Neutral

Congratulations to GECA licensee Shaw Contract Group Australia, who recently announced that all of their commercial carpet manufacturing facilities worldwide are now carbon neutral.

GECA's New Privacy Policy

We're transitioning to a new privacy policy as part of our support of the European Union's recent General Data Protection Regulation changes. As a valued member of our community we take your data privacy very seriously.  Our new policy continues to strengthen our commitment to transparency and gives you even more control over your data.

Our Shiny New Office

The new GECA office is up and running in Rosebery (Level 3, Suite 312, 77 Dunning Avenue)!

A big thank you goes to Aspect Furniture Systems for helping us to relocate our furniture, some of which is over 10 yrs old and still looking great. A definite perk to our new location is the ready access to greenery. 

Dexion Commercial

Congratulations to Dexion who have recently renewed their GECA certification, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to having a lower environmental, health and social impact! Dexion is an Australian company producing a range of globally sourced products for every commercial and specialist storage systems application.

Waste Strategy Summit
26 - 28 June

GECA is proud to be a Supporting Partner of the Waste Strategy Summit which will be taking place at the Aerial UTS Function Centre in Sydney. GECA’s Kate Harris will be moderating a panel discussion on the future of the recycling industry in Australia.

Australian Waste & Recycling Expo
29 - 30 August

AWRE 2018 is an exciting opportunity to connect with an influential community of waste and recycling professionals, suppliers/service providers, government departments, public sector bodies and special interest groups to do business and build a more sustainable future. The exhibition will be held at the International Convention Centre located in the heart of Darling Harbour, Sydney.

• Discover how Modern Slavery impacts Australian infrastructure projects - Supply Chain Sustainability School [Bowen Hills Qld, 28 June]

• Sustainable House Day 2018 [16 September]
   
• On why waste is the next front [The Fifth Estate]
   
• Building a Better Tomorrow: Q&A with World Resources Institute President & CEO Andrew Steer [World Green Building Council]