Home

02-Jul-2018

Plastic is convenient and using it has become a way of life for many of us, especially in the kitchen. It’s so easy to reach for the plastic wrap when preparing lunches, or tear a...

29-Nov-2017

OzHarvest groups across the country are waging their own “war on waste” by rescuing surplus fresh food that would otherwise end up in landfill and getting it into the hands of needy...

30-Aug-2018

Moving house can be an exciting and stressful time. There’s so much to think about and organise. It’s also an excellent opportunity to ditch excess stuff that you have accumulated and no longer need or...

08-Nov-2017

Amy Handy is on a mission: to reduce her personal footprint on the earth. The mother of three has spent the past the past five years working towards a zero waste...

20-Dec-2019

Picking up little pieces of litter from a beach or park may not seem like it can have an impact. But it does. With 5 trillion fragments of plastic floating on...

27-Aug-2016

04-Apr-2018

Whether you are building or buying, spending some time to really think through the way that you will use your home now and into the future can save you a lot of time and money,...

04-Apr-2018

It’s a common misconception that building a sustainable home costs more money, and that it’s all about saving the environment. In fact, a sustainable home may not cost you any extra if...

17-Jan-2019

  “I’m bored, Mum.” “What can we do now, Dad?” Sigh. It’s a couple of weeks (or days) into the school holidays and the kids are looking to you for inspiration and fun stuff to do....

18-Apr-2019

Sunshine Coast Council is leading a nomination for the local government area to become a UNESCO Biosphere. A biosphere is a special place. It's where responsible development and people living sustainably...

25-Apr-2018

Living Smart speaks with Alice Jones, co-founder of ethical, Fair Trade clothing company, Sinerji, on getting started in ethical fashion, the impacts of the fashion industry on people and the environment, and...

04-Oct-2018

Succulent plants are everywhere right now. You’ll find these quirky, fun splashes of greenery adorning tables in cafés and bringing colour to interior and exterior spaces. These interesting, diverse plants are the perfect way to enliven...

15-Nov-2019

  Multigenerational housing has the potential to offer creative solutions to some of the social and environmental challenges of our time. A panel of experienced and emerging architects, along with community members...

15-Mar-2017

12-Feb-2018

It only takes a walk down any supermarket cleaning aisle to comprehend the abundance of products for home cleaning. The underlying message from manufacturers of detergents, disinfectants, bleaches, crèmes, powders and pastes...

01-Aug-2019

Our recent Living Smart Plastic Free July Beeswax Wraps workshops have been so hugely popular, we thought we would share some DIY info, for those that would like to try and make your own. Below are...

02-May-2017

There’s nothing like a pamper session to set your zen to ten. The sounds, the scents, the special stuff they apply to your skin to make it feel extra smooth, soft, and...

16-Jan-2020

From the gym to Pilates to school drop-offs and coffee with friends, activewear is everywhere.  Comfortable, relaxed and the perfect accessory to a laidback Queensland lifestyle, our obsession with taking gym wear...

08-Nov-2017

The average Australian household produces approximately 1.5 tonnes of waste per year. Reducing the amount of waste your household sends to landfill is easy with these tips on recycling everyday items. Batteries, aerosols,...

25-Apr-2018

It's Fashion Revolution week, let's talk.....  There’s a certain sense of gratification about heading out shopping and coming back with a mini haul of new clothes. But...

20-Dec-2019

For many of us, the bathroom is like a fortress… that last frontier of plastic and chemicals that we’ll tackle sometime in the future.  You might have a keep cup and you’re...

06-Apr-2018

  Indoor plants are one of the cheapest and most effective ways to transform your home, and generally require very little care or love to thrive. Even better,...

26-Jun-2019

Channelling her passion for art, fashion and sustainability, Heidi Middleton is redefining what a small, ethical creative fashion business can look like today. The style icon and...

05-Dec-2017

The 12 DOs of Christmas are twelve simple positive actions that everyone can use to help fight the festive war on waste. From green gifts, food and tech waste tips to...

25-Jul-2018

“What do I line my rubbish bins with now?” is the question on everyone’s lips since the ban on single-use plastic bags came into effect in Queensland. For years, using free supermarket...

21-Mar-2017

05-Jul-2018

The single-use plastic bag ban is here and it’s now illegal for retailers in Queensland to supply customers with singlet-style plastic bags for purchases. Although many retailers will sell heavy duty shopping...

02-Jul-2018

Beeswax wraps are a great option to include in your mix of solutions to avoid cling wrap or other single use packaging. Swapping out single-use plastic wrap is easy with these natural wraps that are hygienic...

13-Sep-2019

Sustainability champion Joanna Kristoffersen spent much of her childhood living on a yacht off Mooloolaba so it’s no surprise that she has a strong affinity with the ocean. The iJetSki business owner...

14-Aug-2018

As the war on waste gains momentum, communities of passionate people are popping up on social media to discuss solutions and share ideas. On the sunny coast, a Facebook group called War On Waste -...

02-May-2017

Keeping chickens in the backyard has many benefits and done...

02-May-2017

  Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in your home? Then the Minimalism lifestyle movement may be for you. Guest blogget Nicole Lutz explains. What is Minimalism? Minimalism is based upon the idea of...

15-Jan-2019

  Our homes are a place of refuge, where we escape from the world and spend time with loved ones. They’re also where we tend to accumulate “stuff” – furniture, soft furnishings,...

01-Feb-2019

  How are your New Year’s Resolutions tracking? Hands up if you set a New Years Resolution for 2019? Keep your hand up if you’ve already lost momentum or you realise it’s quickly taken a back seat? If your...

22-Mar-2018

Fruit, vegetables, bread products and leftovers are the most common foods thrown out by residents in the Redlands area, according to a recent study. ...

08-Nov-2017

From 1st July 2018, it will be against the law for retailers in Queensland to supply customers with single use plastic bags. The state-wide ban applies to all retailers including supermarkets, take away food outlets,...

22-Dec-2018

Are you looking for some fun holiday activities for the kids that tap into their creative abilities?  Why not create a few DIY projects to keep them busy? You can make your own...

15-Oct-2018

The Queensland verandah is recognised as one of the original icons of quintessential Australian living. The timeless appeal of this shaded outdoor living space is the unlikely inspiration for a lifetime of work by celebrated...

08-Nov-2017

The inspiration to bring about change can come from unusual places. For Helen Andrew, a surplus of mandarins that no one else wanted was the motivation for starting an online community aimed at creating connection...

28-Nov-2018

Thinking of renovating your home?Have you considered the amount (and cost) of waste this exercise will produce?When we plan ahead, we can reduce waste in any project we work on, so why should home renovations...

12-Feb-2018

As we embrace healthier lifestyles and become more conscious of chemicals in our foods and environment, it’s important to also consider what we are putting into our bodies through our skin and...

16-Dec-2018

  There’s a new grassroots activism emerging from deep within our communities - where knowledge is openly shared, creative strategies for change are hatched and movements unite for a common purpose. On the...

16-Oct-2019

When Kelly Lavery found herself constantly soaking onesies, bibs and items covered with bodily fluids from baby number three, little did she know that the experience would ultimately transform households across...

16-Jul-2018

As awareness grows about the disastrous effects plastic straws have on our environment, more venues that serve drinks are considering reducing or eliminating single-use plastic straws from their beverage services. The Last...

05-Jul-2018

With hundreds of cafes, restaurants and bars signing up to The Last Straw pledge to be straw responsible and Woolworths committed to ending the sale of plastic straws by the end of...

28-May-2018

Composting is surprisingly easy and can be a fun, educational activity to do with the kids. Not only does composting reduce the amount of rubbish that ends up in landfill, it turns...

08-Nov-2017

Using kerbside recycling bins to recycle household items reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfill. However, contamination of the recycling remains one of the biggest challenges for Council kerbside collection programs. Placing non-recyclables in...

08-Aug-2018

With so many fad lifestyle programs and diets filling our social media feeds, finding a practical approach that is healthy, nourishing and improves vitality can be challenging. The key to a happy...

16-May-2019

Come and connect with us at one of our community events We’re commencing the journey to develop ‘Our Resilient Coast. Our Future’, a long-term strategy to better understand coastal hazards, reduce impacts on ...

12-Sep-2018

  Creating zero-waste lunches for the kids is easy. Sure, it requires a little advance planning and commitment but once you have the hang of it, you’ll be a zero-waste lunch superstar...