Sustainable Brands attracting attention in Sydney

On the first day (27 June 2016) of the inaugural Sustainable Brands conference, local and international thought leaders discussed how Australia can be part of a sustainable world, creating business models that deliver both purpose and profit.

Dr Sally Uren, CEO, Forum for the Future, UK, highlighted key opportunities for Australian brands, such as system innovation, the circular economy, pre-competitive collaboration and closing the circle between government, business and the consumer/community.

“The role of business in delivering solutions to society’s current set of significant and complex sustainability challenges has never before attracted so much attention. It’s critical to transform the key systems we rely on and to involve everyone in the value chain, from the producers and manufacturers right through to the end user, all working together towards a common aim,” said Dr Uren.

Tom Szaky, founder and chief executive of TerraCycle, shared insights into how his brand has grown by engaging consumers in recycling post-consumer products and packaging.

“Recycling something that isn’t recyclable, like many other key sustainability functions, requires an investment of money, so what we really have to unlock is that we can learn to create value from sustainability investments.

“At TerraCycle we repurpose hard-to-recycle post-consumer waste, ranging from used cosmetics to coffee capsules and cigarette butts. The waste is collected through free, brand-funded recycling programs, as well as various consumer and government-funded models. The collected waste is recycled, re-used or upcycled into a variety of sustainable consumer and industrial products,” said Szaky.

Andrew Petersen, CEO of Sustainable Business Australia, congratulated brands that worked to align their business strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Australian business is becoming very aware of the opportunities that are opened up by the newly adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and many are planning strategic partnerships to pursue and implement the Goals. I’d like to congratulate my members, Abergeldie, KPMG and NAB, who were listed in the Top Ten of the 8th Annual Review of the State of CSR in Australia and New Zealand.

“Businesses are powerful actors to help resolve the big challenges of sustainability, and the collaboration of businesses to deliver transformational solutions cannot be underestimated.

“Our members, as well as others in the business community, are taking steps to create a more sustainable future,” concluded Petersen.

Day 2 and 3 of the conference continues, 28 and 29 June 2016.

SB16 Sydney is organised by MCI Australia and supported by host partners Banksia Foundation and Sustainable Business Australia and Strategic Partner Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.