Sustainability Options

20/07/2025

From Construction Waste to Warmer Homes 🏠

40sqm of insulation that could’ve ended up in landfill is now keeping a whānau warm — thanks to a powerful collaboration between Fosters and Sustainability Options (and our 20 Degrees program).

As part of the Tauranga Crossing redevelopment, Fosters salvaged insulation during a deconstruction phase and reached out to us to find a meaningful way to reuse it. That insulation now lives inside the walls of a whānau’s home 🧡

This kind of mahi shows what’s possible when construction companies work directly with community organisations to reduce waste and support whānau wellbeing.

We're now exploring how to scale this effort — and always on the lookout for curtains, ranch sliders, whiteware, insulation, heaters, and more.

👉 If your business has quality materials or skills to share, please get in touch with Lee: [email protected]

📩 Read the full story here: https://www.wasteminz.org.nz/news/we-choose-reuse-june-2025

18/07/2025

“Only when the last tree is cut, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned… will we realise we cannot eat money.” — Cree proverb 🌱

At Sustainability Options, we’re deeply committed to building a healthier planet for our grandchildren’s grandchildren.

Each year, we track our carbon footprint to hold ourselves accountable — and over the 2025 financial year, we’re proud to say that our total emissions have dropped (take a look through the photos below). That’s thanks to sharper data capture (big ups to Amy for her mahi!), less solo commuting, and consciously cutting back on business travel.

Our biggest challenge? Transport fuel for our home assessors’ hybrid vehicles and repairs and maintenance team’s diesel vehicles. We are actively working to shrink that, too.

Sustainability is a journey — and we’re sharing ours to help spark yours.

You can read our full 8-year report here:
www.sustainabilityoptions.org.nz/a-for-profit-for-purpose 🌏

12/07/2025

Final reminder: Free Whakatāne Event!

16th July, 5.30pm - 7.45pm
Whakatāne Sportsfishing Club
Muriwai Drive, Whakatāne

Sustainability Options is excited to bring you this very special event, a 2 hr workshop dedicated to the Inner Development Goals (you can read more about this here: https://innerdevelopmentgoals.org/)

In a world that feels increasingly complex and fast-moving many of us are asking: How can I stay grounded while dealing with ambiguity and leading change?

This workshop is a space to pause, reconnect and grow - together.

We’re thrilled to be joined by Gary Shaw, New Zealand’s first IDG Ambassador and Robin Smith, a Somatic Embodiment Coach. Together they will guide us through a few hours of experiential learning, meaningful conversation and inner transformation.

You’ll walk away with:
● Fresh insight into your own inner capacities
● Practical tools to support your leadership and wellbeing
● Resources to integrate the IDGs into your team or organisation
● A renewed sense of connection, clarity and possibility

Entry is free, spaces are limited, please register via Humanitix so we are aware of numbers attending: https://events.humanitix.com/inner-development-goals-workshop-c5hy7hvd

We would love to have you join us. Cash bar will be available, membership rules apply.

11/07/2025

🐸 Ever wondered why there’s a FROG in our history?

Our co-founder Nik has been sharing monthly updates with our team — which is a chance to reflect on who we are, why we do this mahi, and where we’re heading. Part of that involves revisiting the roots of Sustainability Options' mission and values.

Check out what Nik had to say about the story behind FROG 💚

11/07/2025

🎧 Our last podcast for a while!

After a powerful run of kōrero, our Sustainability Options podcast is taking a little break — but don’t worry, Nik and Jo are cooking up something new and exciting. Watch this space 👀

In this episode, they dive into the kaupapa behind our upcoming event: Towards A Purposeful Economy. If you're a business leader or just care about how our economy could better serve people and planet, this episode is for you.

🎙 Listen on Spotify now:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5H1m5xm9JFoNIiYZmF95VQ?si=ffcbf07bad214dd4
(Also on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & Amazon Music)

💡 We created the economy. That means we can change it. Join the conversation and explore how frameworks like the Inner Development Goals, the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, and Future Fit Business can reshape the way we think about success in business.

The Towards A Purposeful Economy event is on Wednesday 20 August 2025, check out the full details here:
https://www.sustainabilityoptions.org.nz/upcoming-events/

10/07/2025

From rain-soaked to rehomed – a beautiful example of community kindness 💚

Our awesome logistics duo, Shirley and Melanie, was recently contacted by a SPCA op shop about some clothes they ran out of storage for and had been caught out in the rain. There were clothes for pēpi, tamariki, wāhine and tāne – too precious to see go to waste.

Determined to give these clothes a second life, Shirley reached out to Pristine Drycleaners, who generously stepped up and cleaned over 15 boxes of clothing for free! Washed, folded, and ready to be loved again.

“They were a very friendly team and community oriented in giving back,” says Shirley. Thank you for your mahi!

These rescued clothes have since made their way to the The Clothing Project, Tauranga Womens Refuge, and into the homes of some of the whānau we visit.

Reducing waste + community collaboration + supporting whānau = our kind of kaupapa!

07/07/2025

Kia ora koutou!
With winter temperatures, many whānau in the Bay of Plenty are needing help staying warm. We're raising funds to provide essential heaters in bedrooms, to those in need. Research shows we need 20 degrees in our homes for our health, especially for tamariki and the elderly.
Bedroom heating is essential for winter. Your donation can make a big difference! ❄️💚

How you can help:
1. Donate: Every dollar helps! Contribute directly to our Heater Fund by heading to our Give A Little page linked below.
2. Spread the Word: Please share this with friends and family.
3. Get Involved: Have heaters to donate? Contact us at 0224972529 or [email protected]!

Let’s help whānau live in warmer, drier, healthier whare this winter. Thank you for your support!

Help Sustainability Options provide essential heaters to those in need this winter by donating to our Heater Fund

06/07/2025

Sustainability Wānanga in collaboration with Tahia Te Marae & Sustainability Options!

Join our Tahia Te Marae and Whānau Ora Team in collaboration with Sustainability Options as they help you create a healthier home for your whānau and a brighter future for all!

Learn how to create a warmer, drier, and more sustainable home for your whānau with expert tips on insulation, moisture control, and energy efficiency. This wānanga will also focus on sustainability options for Wāhine around reusable menstrual products!

Date: Tuesday, 15th of July, 2025
Time: 5.30pm - 7pm
Location: Huria Marae, 1 Te Kaponga Street, Judea, Tauranga Moana

Let’s work together to make a big impact with small changes! 🌍
Register today using this link:
https://forms.gle/xaSF5E3tirhqJsxq9

05/07/2025

Free Eco-Design Advice in Tauranga!

Are you a homeowner, builder, or architect looking to create a healthier, more energy-efficient home in Tauranga? Whether you're designing a new home or improving an existing one, Tauranga City Council is offering free assessments from us (Sustainability Options), to help you create a warmer, drier, and more energy-efficient home. 🔆🏠

Get in touch today! Apply online here: https://tauranga.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_81FxIGbsZNTrlGK

Or call us on 022 156 1027 to find out more. Big thanks to Tauranga City Council for funding this service!

Eco Design Advisors

04/07/2025

Have you heard of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) before? Did you know we have an event coming up soon about this very topic?

In this week’s Sustainability Options podcast, Nik and Jo explain what the IDGs are, how they have evolved from the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and what they mean for leadership capacity, our humanity, and the health of our planet.

There are 5 individual goals: being, thinking, relating, collaboration, and acting.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out our event ‘Towards A Purposeful Economy’ on our website 👉 https://www.sustainabilityoptions.org.nz/upcoming-events/
📅 Happening Wednesday 20 August 2025 | 9:00am – 4:30pm

You can listen to the full podcast here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5H1m5xm9JFoNIiYZmF95VQ?si=ffcbf07bad214dd4

Also available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & Amazon Music.
New podcast episodes every Friday at 3PM!

02/07/2025

🌿 Green Drinks is FULL! We've reached capacity for this event - thanks so much for your support. You will only be able to attend GD if you have registered. This is for H&S reasons, thanks for your understanding.

Green Drinks is FULL

Join us for the July Green Drinks at Tauranga City Council’s new administration building.

🏢 This Greenstar 6 rated building spans 8 categories of sustainability including embodied and operational emissions as well as leadership and wellbeing, helping to set the standard for new commercial builds in Tauranga. You will learn about some of the key design processes that led to amenities such as:
✨ Parents’ and prayer rooms
🌊 The building’s deliberate shift to “face the moana”
🪨 Connections to cultural landmarks
🏛️ Multipurpose community spaces

You’ll also hear from LT McGuinness Ltd about the technical side – including rainwater harvesting and resilience features. You will also hear from some of the team about their experiences working there.

Thanks to Tauranga City Council for sharing their journey and their space with us!
Please note, when you arrive to 90 Devonport Rd, registration will be downstairs and you will be escorted to Level 5.

📅 Thursday 10 July
🕠 5:30pm–7:00pm
📍 90 Devonport Road, Tauranga – please register downstairs on arrival and you’ll be escorted to Level 5.
🎟️ Grab your free tickets here:

The July Green Drinks will take you inside the recently opened TCC administration building, learn about the design process and see it in practice.

30/06/2025

♻️ Think you’re recycling right? You might be surprised! 🧐

One of our awesome kaimahi, Jessie, recently went to a waste hui called Waste-Ed With Kate – and wow, there were some eye-opening takeaways. Turns out, lots of everyday items we think are recyclable… actually aren’t recyclable here in Aotearoa. 😬

The good news? There are solutions! Groups like Envirohub Bay of Plenty offer specialist recycling options – definitely worth checking out if you want to keep waste out of landfill and protect our environment. 🌱

If you're keen to learn more, click through the photos below. We also recommend watching this 30-minute video where Kate takes us behind the scenes of our waste system: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv2yCO25tQc

And if you ever get the chance to go to one of Kate’s in-person sessions – do it! They’re free (or $10 with a giftbag of reusable goodies 🛍️) and packed with practical tips to reduce your waste footprint. Link to Waste-Ed with Kate’s website: www.wastedkate.co.nz

Let’s get better at what we bin. 💪♻️