Currently, the Australian construction industry produces 27 million tonnes of waste annually and is globally responsible for 39 per cent of all carbon emissions.
Focusing on ways we can come together, big or small, to reduce our environmental impact is crucial for awareness, driving meaningful change, and fostering a more sustainable future for industry and the planet.
Focusing on sustainability, the NAWIC ACT 2023 Awards for Excellence sets the standard for deliberate actions aimed at driving change and making conscious choices in your local community. NAWIC ACT chose the National Arboretum as their venue, supporting their efforts in sustainability and biodiversity since their establishment in 2013. The National Arboretum Canberra has been a symbol of hope and sustainability with over 44,000 rare and endangered trees spanning across 250-hectares.
With an aim to reduce fashion waste, a challenge was set to wear a secondhand outfit by hosting a sustainable dress swap group, giving people in the community the opportunity to donate or loan formal wear. If all attendees chose to use a secondhand outfit, they would have diverted over 400kg’s of textiles from ending up in landfills.
By collaborating with DesignCraft, a local designer and manufacturer for trophy design, DesignCraft adopted the sustainability theme by crafting the awards from reclaimed timber. By partnering locally, they reduced emissions required to ship and deliver products.
A helping hand
Another important way to combat transport emissions was through sponsorship with Transport Canberra and providing a courtesy bus to take guests from the venue to the city after the event.
Additional small but important initiatives that can be taken are using digital platforms for seating plans and flyers using QR codes and using recyclable paper for booklets, menus and printable items. Creating event menus focused around locally sourced ingredients and incorporating native and local herbs.
Moving into their upcoming awards season, NAWIC ACT are committed to the same sustainable practices and improving on their eco-friendly offerings at awards and through general merchandise such as using Gobos for decoration, local fruit and vegetables as centerpieces, biodegradable cutlery, biodegradable pens with tomato seeds in the cap!
NAWIC ACT Sustainability Lead, Charne Esterhuizen uses key principles of sustainability when it comes to merchandise – Recycling, Upcycling, Amending or Repairing, Sustainable / Biodegradable Materials and Local Manufacturing. Utilising these general rules not only has a positive environmental impact, but also incorporates innovation which stimulates curiosity, equaling positive change.
Every little bit counts.