The Design Institute of Australia is committed to behaving ethically and continually improving and promoting sound practices that enhance economic, societal and environmental values. The DIA is committed to reducing the ecological impact of our activities and has implemented a variety of initiatives to contribute to this goal.

Endorsements

• The DIA endorses the Designers Accord, which is a global coalition of designers, educators, and business leaders, working together to create positive environmental and social impact. The DIA seeks to help further the mission by adding awareness and support to the cause. http://www.designersaccord.org/about/endorsers/

Business Practices

• Where possible, the DIA reduces waste and re-uses or recycles materials.
• The DIA has reduced its overall consumption of energy by sensible energy management of its buildings and equipment. Greenhouse gas emissions generated by daily business have been offset through the purchase of Australian GreenPower from Climate Friendly.
• With an aim to significantly reduce the DIA travel footprint, the DIA council and staff combine trips or opt for alternatives such as telephone and video conferencing. Where travel is necessary, the DIA has reduced its impact on the atmosphere by purchasing carbon offsets through the airline.
• Where possible, the DIA maintains a green supply chain for all goods and services provided. For example, the DIA’s national newsletter “Spark” is printed carbon green on Ecostar 100%  recycled power and wrapped in 100% biodegradable plastic (EPI).

Education

• The DIA actively promotes and encourages the adoption of ecologically sustainable design practices and operations.
• The DIA provides sustainable design information to our members via Environmental Practice Notes & Sustainable Design articles  featured in the DIA website and other DIA Publications.

Award Programs

Interior Design Awards
www.interiordesignawards.com.au

The Australian Interior Design Awards is a partnership event of the Design Institute of Australia, designEX and ARTICHOKE magazine. The IDA program relies predominantly on eco-efficient media outlets like e-communications and websites. The entry process is performed online which has considerably reduced the amount of printed matter and air miles.  The Awards Dinners are held in venues that do not require decoration and offer catering suppliers who can source food and beverages locally to reduce food miles.

Australian International Design Awards - Award for Excellence in Sustainable Design
www.designawards.com.au/sustainable_design.jsp

To acknowledge and reward outstanding examples of sustainable design, Standards Australia in partnership with the Design Institute of Australia, Sustainability Victoria, and WSP Environmental present an Award for Excellence in Sustainable Design at the annual Australian International Design Awards. This year’s winner was Enviromesh, a groundbreaking new concrete reinforcing system with the potential to drive down costs, minimise concrete cancer and improve safety in the construction industry.

Australasian Student Design Awards
www.design.org.au/asda

The DIA devotes its most prestigious Student Design Awards to fostering Sustainable Design practices in the region’s emerging designers by acknowledging, rewarding and promoting outstanding examples of sustainable design.  Additionally, the ASDA exhibition stand at designEX demonstrates sustainable design practices e.g. the use of lighting that offers approx 42% reduction in power consumption, and Visy’s new Enviro Paneling made from 50% previously recycled paper composition.