We’re told the economy and the environment are locked in a trade-off. Autex’s Jonathan Mountfort says that’s a false choice, and shows how circular thinking is already building a healthier version of both.
Discover practical tips to build trust through authentic sustainability communication, and examples of businesses leading the way.
Clothing is one of the fastest growing causes of waste in New Zealand. However, a number of businesses in the fashion and textile sector are working hard to turn that around, writes Phil Crawford. Your jeans may look innocent but they’ve been involved in numerous crimes of fashion long before you fell in love with them. And, they haven’t stopped. While your bootcuts may be guilty, along with just about every other piece of clothing you own. But redemption is possible. The evidence against your wardrobe is compelling. You don’t need to be a forensic scientist to see the giant environmental footprint created by the fashion industry. For starters it is the second-largest consumer of water worldwide and produces about
A new initiative is helping New Zealand businesses respond to a growing demand to take responsibility for the products they make and sell so they are not ending up in landfill, writes Phil Crawford. The Aotearoa Product Stewardship Campaign encourages businesses to offer end-of-life solutions for their products and promotes organisations that are leading the way. A key aim is to reduce the 2.5 million tonnes of waste going to landfill every year in New Zealand. “That’s bad for the environment, it’s costing our country millions of dollars every year, contributing to our carbon emissions and it’s a shocking waste of valuable resources,” says James Griffin, General Manager Projects and Advisory at the Sustainable Business Network (SBN). The campaign is
Phil Jones presents some simple steps business owners can take right now to get their business on the pathway to climate action. The lockdowns imposed around the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in a dramatic drop in global carbon emissions. While that has highlighted that emissions can be cut hard and cut fast we don’t want to go to the wall in the process. The good news is that there are far more sustainable ways for businesses to take climate action. That action needs to be taken urgently if we are to stand any chance of meeting our international commitments, and our goal to become a zero carbon economy by 2050. The Sustainable Business Network recently launched its
James Warren takes a look back at the changes in New Zealand’s employment law delivered in 2019, and shares his outlook for 2020. Ongoing change is the notorious hallmark of New Zealand employment law, and 2019 maintained that reputation. We saw a number of fundamental revisions in the legal landscape – the full implications of which are yet to be seen. 2020, as an election year, may have less legislative reform on the agenda, but the long term outlook remains set to “changeable”. 2019 in review Here were the key legislative changes: Renewed focus on reinstatement as the primary remedy for employees who have been unjustifiably dismissed. Strengthening of union rights and collective bargaining requirements. Reinstatement of set meals and
Taupō-based dairy company Miraka takes a long-term view to business, and their approach to milk production is no exception. “Our focus is on creating a world-class operation” says Paul Trewin, GM of operations at Miraka. “We’re always looking for ways to improve. Creating quality products with a low carbon footprint, while looking after our people, guides each operational decision.” Miraka’s dairy powder plant is based in Mokai, a 30-minute drive from Taupō. The plant is one of just two in the world powered from geothermal energy. This renewable source of energy helps produce Miraka’s UHT and powdered milk. “We export almost everything we produce and our biggest customers are in China. We’re currently producing around 300 million litres of milk
All Kiwi business owners can learn a lot from Maori – who have been integrating circular thinking to their business culture for many years.
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