Sustainability and the Technology Industry

The TIA supports and encourages industry sustainability. Major initiatives of the TIA in the area of sustainability involve industry committees and a sector agreement with the Premier's Department. Full details of these activities are provided below.

The Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee (ESAC) was formed in 2007 by the Association, to address the issues of “materials which may be harmful to the ecosystem in the design, production, field application and end of life disposal stages of any product”. Since this time, there have been legislative and international law changes that have forced manufacturers to review their processes and ensure compliance with a number of initiatives.

In February 2010, the TIA signed a Sector Agreement for the industry with the Premier Mike Rann, providing a schedule of activities to be undertake in collaboration with government and industry.

Membership of ESAC is open to member companies that are interested or have expertise in the area of sustainability. The TIA welcomes new members to ESAC and those interested are invited to contact the Association on 8272 5222, or via .

A sub group of ESAC is the Environmental Sustainability Interest Group(ESIG), that meets on occasion to provide information to the wider industry and participation is open to all interested.

Team Trev

Trev is the small green electric car originally designed and built by students at the University of South Australia to demonstrate that you don't need tonnes of polluting machinery to transport one or two people around a city. It is currently being driven around the world by a group of volunteers from South Australia. These volunteers have improved the car and are demonstrating the viability of the concept and showcasing the design to a global audience.

Team Trev is testament to the ability to change a manufacturing process, by reclassifying the needs of the end supplier and creating a solution that fits even better.

Just as innovation drove the industrial revolution, technology has the ability to change our ways to reduce our reliance on ever decreasing resources.

Useful Links and Resources

http://www.environment.gov.au/about/legislation.html

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/legislation

http://www.business.gov.au/BusinessTopics/Environmentalmanagement/Licencesandlabelling/pages/Environmentallegislation.aspx

http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/ewaste/index.html

http://www.productstewardship.asn.au/

Legislation generally:

http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/index.aspx

Here is the legislation relating to the EPA

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/legislation/environment_protection_legislation

Generally - things about normal business events

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/businesses