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News, views and upcoming events
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Countdown winding down plastic bag use
Ten Countdown supermarkets are set to remove single-use plastic bags from May 21, in an effort to stop use of the bags entirely. Customer feedback and other insights will help inform the wider roll out of the initiative, to all 182 Countdown supermarkets by the end of 2018. The move will reduce the use of 350 million bags in NZ every year.  
Mico goes plastic bag free 
Mico Plumbing and Bathrooms have also gone plastic bag free in its 65 branches nationwide. The company says it's the first in the building products trade industry to make the move and it'll save the use of 168,000 plastic bags every year. Mico is a division of SBC member Fletcher Building. 
Building momentum on science-based targets
Congratulations to The Warehouse and thinkstep, for announcing their commitment to setting science-based emissions targets, joining members Contact and Enviro-Mark Solutions. Auckland Airport leads the way, with a verified target already in place. To find out more about what it takes, sign up for our upcoming workshops.
More than 12,000 Toyota Kiwi Guardians
The Toyota Kiwi Guardians programme is celebrating its two year anniversary and huge success, with more than 12 thousand children taking part and redeeming 23,954 medals. The programme was launched by DOC and Toyota to help children and their families explore NZ’s great outdoors and earn rewards for doing so. 
New strategy a milestone for Waikato rivers
Waikato Regional Council has launched a 15-year Restoration Strategy for the Waikato and Waipā river catchments, in partnership with DairyNZ and the Waikato River Authority. The Restoration Strategy is seen as a milestone for the future wellbeing of the area, and creates a prioritised masterplan for restoration activities. 
Circular economy could bring $8bn boost
A new report from ATEED and the Sustainable Business Network estimates the rise of a circular economy in Auckland could bring more than $8 billion to the local economy and much lower emissions. Read more.
Genesis Energy joins SBC
Welcome to the whanau Genesis Energy. Genesis is the largest electricity and natural gas retailer in New Zealand, generating electricity from a diverse mix of renewable (hydro, wind) and thermal (natural gas, coal) resources. Find out more here.
Unilever's Young Entrepreneurs Award
Are you working hard on an innovative sustainability solution, or do you know someone that is? The Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Awards, in partnership with Cambridge University, are looking to support people aged 35 and under around the world with existing initiatives, products, services and ideas. More info here.
Glass Packaging Forum funding
Do you have a project that could help improve the quality and quantity of glass bottles and jars for recycling? The Glass Packaging Forum's latest funding round is open for applications and they're considering applications for infrastructure, plant and equipment, technology and research. 
Enviro-Mark Solutions welcomes new GM 
Enviro-Mark Solutions is excited to announce another milestone in its growth, with the appointment of Steve Dixon as General Manager, Strategy and Partnerships. He has more than 20 years experience in sustainability, and a Masters in Environmental Assessment and Evaluation from London School of Economics. Read more here.

Upcoming Events


Science-Based Targets: Target setting and approaches
Setting a long-term emissions target?  Want to know how to navigate the Science-Based Targets submission process? Join SBC, WWF New Zealand and Enviro-Mark Solutions for two in-depth workshops, where you’ll be able to explore Science-Based Target setting in more detail. 

When: Wednesday 
23rd May, 10 - 1130, and Wednesday 20th June, 10 - 1130
Where:  Auckland central (tbc)

The rise of good business

Massey Business School is hosting its Big Issues in Business event. This year it features the latest research on the how the 17 sustainable development goals, set out by The United Nations, are shaping the ways nations plan for the future. 
Find out how key companies in New Zealand and globally are reinventing their business models over three nights.

Where: Auckland, Wellington and Palmerston North
When: May 15 - 18
For more information, click
here.

Launch of Fuji Xerox Product Stewardship Roadmap – the first step to a Circular Economy

Fuji Xerox is launching its Product Stewardship Roadmap later this month in Auckland, developed with input from the Ministry for the Environment and Government-accredited product stewardship scheme managers.

The Roadmap is a guide to help any New Zealand business create a product stewardship scheme and thereby take the first step to a circular economy.


When: 18 May, Auckland

More info here.

Inaugural infrastructure sustainability summit

The summit will explore the issues, challenges and best practise examples for delivering resilient, sustainable infrastructure in New Zealand.
Keynote address by Associate Minister for Transport, the Hon. Julie Anne Genter on how infrastructure can deliver better social and environmental outcomes.
Interactive panels on: Climate change resilience, innovation and technologies, and regional investment and local communities. 

Find out more
here.
When: June 7th in Auckland
Protected Areas Symposium
Lincoln University and the New Zealand Conservation Authority invite you to attend the conference, Towards Implementing a 2050 vision for the protected areas of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Aotearoa New Zealand is working to become predator free by 2050. But there are many other challenges facing our protected areas.
This conference brings together policy, mana whenua, planning and management, recreation, tourism and innovation, as we develop a 2050 vision for the protected areas of Aotearoa New Zealand.

When: June 20th, 21st. 
Where: Lincoln University, Christchurch

SAVE THE DATE
Sustainable Business Council Annual Council Meeting

When: Wednesday 15th August
Where: Time and venue to be confirmed

CDP and thinkstep are holding a webinar next week to show how different ways of carbon reporting can combine to bring you tangible business value.

When: 16 May, webinar
More info
here.
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