NORA’s Sustainable Retail Go! Conference - The Grounds Alexandria
It was a pleasure to attended NORA’s Sustainable Retail Go! Conference today. A fitting venue at The Grounds Alexandria - we enjoyed connecting with industry amongst the beautiful greenery and ate a sustainable and fresh networking lunch.
The event brought together leaders to present and challenge the future of eCommerce though a more sustainable and greener lens.
As a consultant to retail businesses we have a responsibility to teach and inform them on how to produce, store, sell and fulfil their products mindfully. With an aim on reducing their energy and carbon usage to protect our people and planet.
Did you know that the last mile is the most energy intensive when connecting a customer to your product!
Hosted on Sorry Day, we remembered First Nations people who have been impacted by the stolen generation. It was an honour to listen to a welcome to country and traditional music played on the didgeridoo.
A few key things we can all do for out people and planet:
- Carbon offset all of your flights - cheaper than a coffee
- Change electricity supplier to more energy efficient options. See Diamond Energy
- Recognise First Nations people by adding acknowledgement to your website and email signature... we did this today!
- Source products from suppliers and brands who have professional certifications for ethical and sustainable sourced materials
- Collect data: Learn, record and measure where all your products come from. This way you can make better decisions
- Start the process at getting your own business accredited as a certified BCorp - You can complete the Impact Assessment for free and during the process learn and make changes to how you operate your business so that you are being responsible for your actions.
- Collaborate and buy from brands who are Certified Bcorp's, aligning your value systems with others. Brands include T2, Flora and Fauna, Stone & Wood Brewing, Cape Byron Distillery, Biome, ESuite Talent.
Find a B Corp here
B Corp certification is evidence that your business is committed to and balances people, planet and profit. It proves your business meets the highest global standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability.
Victoria Wilson, Sustainability Manager, T2 Tea
Loane Avenell, National Marketing Manager, Mad Mex Fresh Mexican
A few quotes from the day:
"Sustainability isn't optional"
- This should be built into your company policy and values.
"Stability + agility = Capability" - Yasmin Grigaliunas, World's Biggest Garage Sale
"Do good, is good for business".
A few helpful websites
Supply Nation provides Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses: search by business name, product, service, area, or category.
Sustainability Victoria
Sustainability Victoria is a Victorian government agency that delivers programs on integrated waste management and resource efficiency to the state of Victoria, Australia. It was established under the Sustainability Victoria Act 2005 to promote and facilitate environmental sustainability in the use of resources.
Australia Fashion Council
Circular Fashion Partnership
Welcome to Country
Support First Nations business by purchasing experiences and products online through this online marketplace.
Stakeholder diversity – bringing the outside in
This session will explore the importance of engaging with a range of stakeholders in a meaningful way, which can sometimes involve difficult conversations or conflicting perspectives, but once achieved can deliver better environmental, social and reputational outcomes. The session will be hosted by Ryan Swenson, and explore the barriers and outcomes experienced with three partners that Officeworks engages with, and the broader issues and opportunities faced by each panellist and their organisation.
Host: Chris Foley, Head of Energy and Environment, Kmart
David Ritter, CEO, Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Amelia Young, National Campaigns Director, The Wilderness Society
Yasmin Grigaliunas, CEO and Co-Founder, The World’s Biggest Garage Sale
Panel – Circular retail: The new paradigm of re-commerce, re-cycle and repurpose
Host: Melissa Drennan, Chief Growth Officer, THE ICONIC
Beth Glancey, Global Head of Partnerships & General Manager, ANZ, AirRobe
Alice Kuepper, Head of Sustainable Business and Corporate Social Responsibility, Winning Group
Peter Krideras, Founder, Releaseit and Green Friday
T2’s sustainability journey, from first leaf, to last sip: Fireside discussion
Victoria Wilson, Sustainability Manager, T2 Tea
Tom Ferrier, Founder, Greener
Hayley Fisher, Country Manager – Australia & New Zealand, Adyen
Hosted on Sorry Day, we remembered First Nations people who have been impacted by the stolen generation. It was an honour to listen to a welcome to country and traditional music played on the didgeridoo.
We acknowledge the Dharawal People, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.