Sustainability
Welcome to Brightstar's
Sustainability impact page
We are acutely aware of the world in which we live. We are a local company, and our focus is on being the best corporate citizen for the betterment of people and organisations in New Zealand. On this page you will find detail on the efforts we make to improve our sustainability practices. The list and results are ever-growing.
At Brightstar, we are committed to becoming a BCorp certified company, which will require us to meet the highest standards of responsibility in the areas of governance, community, environment, workers, and customers. We haven’t reached certified status yet, but we look forward to getting there soon.
Steve Scott, Chief Executive, Brightstar
Climate Impact
We are taking intentional and accelerating steps to reduce our carbon and waste footprint. We are working with customers and suppliers to understand their own climate impacts and choices.
We are reducing the emissions associated with our business as much as possible. This has influenced our office location (public transport hub), office choice (energy efficient, smart building) and how we work (permanent hybrid working). We are working to reduce our supply chain emissions and offering customers the ability to participate in our events in a low carbon digital way and offering offset options for travel. We consciously minimise our business travel and offset unavoidable travel.
We locate our events as close as possible to the expected attendee audience home locations, minimising the need to travel to participate.
Sustainable Products & Practices
We operate in a permanent hybrid working mode, cutting staff office travel by 60% each week. Business meetings travel is reduced through regular use of Zoom/Teams calls. We choose to use sustainable products for any office and event consumables, including:
- Conference pens - environmentally conscious retractable ball pen with a kraft paper barrel and a trim manufactured from a blend of wheat straw and ABS
- Lanyards made of bamboo viscose, a natural fast growing material which places less demand on natural resources and produces a material that is durable and versatile.
- Conscious and increasing reduction and replacement of direct mailing with digital and opt-in marketing. All direct mail uses certified responsibly sourced papers and inks, either FSC or PEFC.
- Through 'Trees That Count', we have funded the planting of 2472 native trees (up till June 2023), 1 for every speaker at our events.
- Printed signage at venues – where possible we use digital signage. Where printed signage is unavoidable, we use Koru Eco Flute, a printable cardboard that is 100% recyclable.
- We work with venues to ensure no use of single use cutlery, plates, glasses etc, and ensure that catering choices to increase plant-based options and menus are designed to be low waste.
- Where office printing is unavoidable, we use sustainable wheat paper.
Community Impact
We are committed to making a positive impact on the world and are proud to support several local and hyper-local community and environmental NGOs. Our support includes funding, volunteering, and providing unfettered free access to our event and training schedules to allow these organisations to grow from the inside. Each year our in-kind support assisting the capability building and professional development of our strategic partners is valued at $100,000. Here are the projects we support:
The Graeme Dingle Foundation
The Graeme Dingle Foundation is a New Zealand-based charity that provides mentoring and outdoor education programmes for young people. Their programmes build confidence, resilience, and life skills in young people. At Brightstar, we believe in supporting initiatives that help young people reach their full potential. That's why we are proud to support the Graeme Dingle Foundation and their mission to empower young people.
Te Hо̄nonga a iwi
Restoring Rosedale Park is a ground-breaking five-year community-led project which aims to restore a 4000m2 area within Rosedale Park, Auckland using bio-organic principles to revitalise the land and the adjacent Alexander Stream, making the park a place where biodiversity can increase and local people can go to connect with nature. The goal is to restore the local park to its former glory and create a thriving ecosystem for local wildlife. We believe in supporting initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and community involvement. That's why we are proud to support Restoring Rosedale Park and their mission to create a sustainable future for our planet.
Whakaangi Landcare Trust
Whakaangi Landcare Trust is a Northland-based initiative protecting, preserving and supporting the vibrant biodiversity of 4000ha of land of Whakaangi peninsula near Hihi in Northland. It is home to the northern most population of B Kiwi. At Brightstar, we believe in supporting initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and protect endangered species. That's why we are proud to support Whakaangi.
Kidscan
Kidscan is the well-known charity dedicated to helping Kiwi kids affected by poverty. Kidscan helps tamariki experiencing hardship by providing food, jackets, shoes and health products to schools and early childhood centres across New Zealand. With these essentials, kids can participate in learning and have the opportunity for a better future. Brightstar believes in supporting initiatives that improve the lives of children and their families. That's why we are proud to have supported Kidscan and their mission to fight the impact of poverty for almost 20 years.
How can we do better or help more?
If you have an idea how we can partner or work together to improve outcomes, please get in touch.
