Victoria's Statewide Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags Has Kicked Off

Here's what you need to know.

The Localist: Inner City

In the inner city, any laneway could hold the perfect cup of coffee, and a vintage bargain is always just a short tram ride away.

Alphington Will Soon Be Home to a Community Beekeeping School

Spreading the love for our apian allies and inspiring a new wave of backyard beekeepers.

Woolworths Is Trialling Paper Bags at Stores Across Australia

So you can ditch the 15-cent plastic and kick it old-school with paper.

The Localist: Inner North

Along the guiding line of the Yarra and Merri Creek, Melbourne’s inner north is filled with character.

You Can Now Trade In Your Unwanted IKEA Furniture at Any of the Brand's Australian Stores

Following a trial at its Tempe store, the Swedish retailer has launched its buy-back scheme nationally.

A Heap of Climate Change Protests Are Expected to Disrupt Cities Across Australia All Week

Environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion will continue to demand government action on climate change with a week-long schedule of protests in Australia's major cities.

Tens of Thousands of Australians Will Take to the Streets to Demand Action on Climate Change

If you're planning to join the crowds or you're pondering your transport options for the day, here's how the events will go down in your city.

The Localist: Melbourne

Online shopping is great and everything, but it’s not quite the same as doing it IRL. If you want to trawl through racks of vintage clothes, meet the people who actually made the thing you’re buying or stumble across something you never knew you needed, you need to get out there and hit the pavement.

The Localist: Eastern Suburbs

The east enjoys a prime location in that sweet spot between the buzz of the inner city and the wide leafy streets of the suburbs.

Japan's Weird and Wonderful KitKat Flavours Will Soon Come Wrapped in Origami Paper

It's part of Nestlé's commitment to ensure that 100-percent of its packaging is recyclable or re-usable by 2025.

Australia Is Set to Swelter Through a Warmer-Than-Average End to 2019

A particularly warm spell is expected in September, with hotter-than-usual temperates set to continue across spring and into summer.

Victoria Could Finally Be Getting Its Own Container Refund Scheme

If the City of Melbourne gets its way, you might soon be able to exchange empty bottles and cans for cash.

The Planet May Have Just Sweltered Through the Hottest Month in Recorded History

From heatwaves in Europe to toastier-than-usual winter weather in Sydney, July was a warm month.

Victoria's Solar Farms Are Now Powering the Entire Melbourne Tram Network

Thanks to the opening of the state's largest solar farm last week.

Plant Subscription Service Botanic Box Will Deliver New Greenery to Your Home Every Month

Get new plants — and handmade art — delivered to your door each month.

South Australia Is Set to Become the First Australian State to Ban Single-Use Plastics

It'll start with phasing out plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers, before moving on to takeaway polystyrene containers and cups.

Returnr Is Australia's New Reusable Takeaway Container Network

It's partnering with restaurants and cafes across the country — and Deliveroo.

This Is What a Safer and More Cyclist-Friendly Sydney Road Could Look Like

You can now vote on the five possible designs.

Victoria's Statewide Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags Is Set to Kick Off This November

That makes NSW the only state that hasn't committed to reducing the use of plastic bags.

Adidas Will Donate $1 for Every Kilometre You Run to an Ocean Protection Charity

The label is aiming to raise $1.5 million USD for the Parley for the Oceans charity.

Five Things You Can Do More Sustainably in Your Everyday

Create a greener world with these simple daily decisions.

Victoria Is Set to Score a Huge 6500 Hectares of New Parkland

The Victorian Government's Budget 2019/20 allocates money for 25 new inner city parks and a heap of large green spaces in the suburbs.

St Kilda Pier Is Getting a $50.3 Million Penguin-Friendly Rebuild

It will feature a new curved design for better views of the penguins' nightly waddle home.

Australians, A Dry and Warmer-Than-Average Winter Is Coming

A hotter-than-usual autumn was forecast, and now it looks like winter will be the same.

The World's First Zero-Waste Flight Soared Across Australian Skies This Week

Flying from Adelaide to Sydney, 34 kilograms of waste were saved.

Collins Street's Historic Regent Theatre Is Set to Score a Tidy $1.6 Million Refurb

The restorations — along with a plan to give Town Hall a $4.5 million makeover — are part of the City of Melbourne's 2019–20 budget.

Melbourne Is Getting a 2000-Square-Metre Rooftop Farm and Cafe on Top of a City Car Park

Melbourne Skyfarm will boast a working farm, an education centre and an on-site cafe and bar.

Eight Independent and Ethical Brands You Should Know About If You Want to Shop Sustainably

From activewear made with recycled plastics to cruelty-free skincare — and you can find them all under one roof.

The World's First Single-Use Plastic Free Long-Haul Flight Will Land in Australia Tomorrow

It's flying from Abu Dhabi to Brisbane — eradicating more than 95 single-use plastic items, and saving over 50 kilograms of waste from landfill.

Melbourne Just Sweltered Some of Its Hottest April Days on Record

And the warm weather looks like it'll stick around for the long weekend, too.

Europe Has Done the World's Oceans a Solid and Banned a Heap of Single-Use Plastics

The EU will phase out the ten plastic items most frequently found on beaches by 2021.

This Is What Melbourne's Huge Soon-to-Open Urban Rooftop Farm Will Look Like

The new 2000-square-metre space will sit atop Burwood Brickworks sustainable shopping centre when it opens later this year.

The Queen Victoria Market Is Banning Plastic Bags and Straws

This New Melbourne Eco Truck Will Refill Your Cleaning Products While Reducing Your Plastic Waste

The Roving Refills truck is stocked with bulk products — simply BYO containers and fill 'em up.

Hobart Will Become the First Australian City to Ban Single-Use Plastics

The ban will be rolled out in late 2019 or early 2020 — other cities, take note.

Woolies Has Stopped Selling $1 Milk in Support of Aussie Dairy Farmers

Two- and three-litre varieties of its home-brand fresh milk have increased in price, with the extra money headed back into Aussie farmers' pockets.

Australia Is Set to Swelter Through a Hotter-Than-Average Autumn

Don't pack away your pedestal fans just yet.

Coca-Cola Is Ditching Single-Use Plastic Straws from 115,000 Aussie Venues

It's aiming to have 100 percent recyclable packaging in Australia by 2025.

Victoria's $1.5 Billion New Wind Farm Could Supply Ten Percent of the State's Energy

The 17,000-hectare Golden Plains Wind Farm has just been given planning approval by the Victorian Government.

Australia Is Set to Sweat Through a Country-Wide Heatwave This Week

Every state and territory will be affected

South Australia Is Considering Banning Single-Use Plastics

Other states, take note.