Since the start of 2020, Michelle Thomas has been our Acting CEO. We’re delighted to announce that the GECA Board has unanimously decided to appoint Michelle as our new permanent CEO.

A new draft version of GECA’s standard for carpets is now available for public comment! This standard identifies the significant impacts of the product category and sets specific requirements for performance, material content, adhesives, emissions, water consumption, energy use, and criteria for minimising waste.

In November, as a member of the B Corp Climate Collective, GECA joined leaders in business, technology, finance, environment and health to write a joint letter to all Members of Federal Parliament urging them to adopt the Climate Change Bill.

We designed this event to inspire, encourage collaboration and share sustainable solutions and innovations, bringing together government, businesses, and community to build a circular economy – all while celebrating World Ecolabel Day! You can now access recordings from the day.

GECA has joined the Trusted Labels Group (TLG) to utilise a range of resources and expertise to simplify and streamline labelling processes for stakeholders such as retailers. The group aims to identify common areas of interest and shared learnings while promoting the benefits of independent third-party certification.

The rise of circular economy thinking is creating new ways of approaching manufacturing and product stewardship across a breadth of markets. Buying products and materials made from recycled content is a significant step to shift our economy from linear to circular.

As a world-leading ecolabel focused on sustainable production and consumption, we know how crucial it is to tackle embodied and operational carbon in manufacturing, based on a life cycle approach. That’s why we are pleased to announce our support of WWF-Australia in calling for more action under a renewable recovery as we start to rebuild from COVID-19.

There has never been a more important time for government, businesses, and community to come together to build a circular economy! In collaboration with the City of Sydney, we present, Innovations for a Circular Economy, a half-day symposium streamed live from Customs House, Sydney.

Buildings and the construction industry in Australia have a significant environmental footprint, including waste generation, water consumption, energy usage and greenhouse emissions. Building and construction are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world. GECA is thrilled to announce Green Star recognition for six new standards, which make it easier for architects and other building professionals to select products and materials that are better for people and planet.

GECA has joined a group of Australian businesses, industry groups, universities and civil society organisations to urge the Federal Government to remain focused on the need for a sustainable future as it creates policies to aid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congratulations to the team at Bounce Rubber Bands for going beyond a self-declared claim and PROVING their claim via independent third-party assurance!

GECA is proud to be a Supporting Partner of the Waste Strategy Virtual Summit which will be taking place on 21 - 22 July. Our CEO, Michelle Thomas, will be participating on the panel – Discussing the circular economy in the real world and the impact it is having on waste reduction and recycling.

Dave Moolman, Regional Vice President of Shaw Contract Australia, shares his thoughts on the combined benefits of GECA certification and the Living Future Institute's Declare label.

The world has experienced a public health emergency that has brought with it acute economic impacts. As Australia responds to the crisis, there is a growing consensus that energy efficiency has a crucial role in the economic recovery and in providing long-term social, economic and environmental benefits. GECA is proud to be a supporting partner for a National Summit on 1 July 2020: Energy Efficiency and Australia’s Economic Recovery.

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), of which GECA is a member, has called on Australian governments to build better homes and help Australia’s post-COVID economy.

We are excited to announce that we are revising both our Cleaning Products and Personal Care Products standards to update the requirements to reflect best practice in the marketplace today. As part of this process, we are calling on interested, experienced stakeholders for their input.

Australia and New Zealand’s leading online retailer, THE ICONIC, has announced that it will transition its current black parcel packaging to 100% recycled satchels. Delivering millions of orders each year, and as the first major ANZ retailer to make a commitment of this scale, the shift represents a significant milestone for THE ICONIC and its broader sustainability initiatives.

Steel is a vital material not only for the built environment but also for vehicles, art, medicine and information technology. However, like all materials, steel can pose a significant environmental, health and social burden during its manufacture, use and disposal.

An ambitious new standard for Australian homes will help drive the transformation of the housing market to ensure new homes are built to a higher standard which is focused on health, resilience and net zero energy.

GECA is proud to be a supporting partner of the Banksia Foundation’s 2020 Banksia Sustainability Awards, the major sustainability awards in Australia. The closing date for nominations has been extended to give Australian businesses and individuals that are adjusting to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic more time to submit their entry.