#1 Ditch single-use plastic from the kitchen, laundry and bathroom
At Capella we use refillable vessels for all guest amenities rather than use single-use body and hair care products. For home, check out Zero Co Australia, a start-up that’s provides personal care and home cleaning products that come with a refillable vessel and refill pouch. The site has already signed up some 32,000 households.
#2 Take 3 For the Sea
Take 3 for the Sea is a good rule to live by when you live by the ocean or on an island! The simple initiative was started by two friends in 2009, with the goal to encourage people to collect three pieces of rubbish when leaving the beach.
#3 Recycle everything!
At Capella, we recycle everything from glass and paper goods to organic food waste which is gathered at Lord Howe Island’s award-winning tip. At home, Power Pickup is a smart recycling business that collects items that are a little tricker to recycle such as:
- E-waste
- Soft plastics
- Clothing and textiles
- Other miscellaneous items like books and toys
#4 Make your own reusable bags from spare fabrics
Boomerang Bags made from leftover or recycled fabrics fashioned into a sturdy reusable shopping bags are a resounding hit on Lord Howe Island and made by the local community. They’ve been such a success, the locals have also developed fabric bread bags to eliminate the need for plastic-wrapped bread. The Australian Boomerang Bags initiative is now active in more than 1100 communities worldwide. The need for plastic bags has been all but eliminated while friendly conversations and new friendships have been fostered among the sewing groups.
#5 Community Compost
ShareWaste is a virtual matchmaker, connecting people who have food scraps and nowhere to compost with others in their neighbourhood with ample composting space or hungry worms. This site is community driven, and helps turn organic waste into garden gold while also creating a thriving community of neighbours helping each other out.
