6 Min Read
At Salt Lab, we believe that small, mindful choices made every day can lead to powerful, lasting change for our health and the planet. That’s why we were so excited to sit down with Sarah, Corporate Partnerships Manager at @cleanupaustralia, to chat about the meaningful steps we can all take to reduce waste and make an environmental impact, starting in our backyard.
We also had the privilege of joining the Clean Up Australia team for a local clean-up, a hands-on reminder of this organisation's incredible work for over three decades to inspire and empower environmental action.
In this heartfelt conversation, we explore how simple swaps, daily rituals, and community connection can help us live more sustainably without overwhelm. From reusable coffee cups to getting kids involved in clean-ups, these practical tips are a beautiful reminder that we all have the power to make a difference, starting at home.
1. Sustainability can feel overwhelming for some—where do you suggest people start when it comes to living more consciously at home?
Start small, whether that be consciously avoiding single use plastic where you can or always remembering your reusable coffee cup before you head out. We are used to the saying “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” which is a great mantra to follow in the home. However, we now have the extended “Rs”: Re-think, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Resell, Rent, Repurpose, Rot, Refill, Recycle. The opportunities are endless!
2. What are some small but powerful changes families can make in their daily routines to reduce waste or environmental impact?
Always ensuring you have your reusable coffee cup and/or water bottle with you. We recently released our FY24 Litter Report which reveals plastics continue to be the number one littered item found in our environment, representing approximately 80% of all litter collected by our volunteers. Avoiding fast fashion is a personal favourite of mine! I have made a pledge to shop in Op Shops as a first option. I have bought some incredible, high-quality items in Op shops – including the jeans and shoes I am wearing right now!
3. At Salt Lab, we believe that restoring balance starts with everyday choices. What role do you think rituals—like morning routines or bedtime wind-downs—can play in building sustainable habits?
I love a ritual! Very important to get those behaviours ingrained into our thinking. For me, I always make sure I pack my work bag the evening before – ensuring I have my reusable grocery bag, water bottle and coffee cup clean and packed. Not only does it save me time in the morning, it removes the potential of me forgetting!
4. Many of our community members are parents. What are some fun, engaging ways to involve kids in sustainability and clean-up practices at home or in the community?
Taking your kids out on a Clean Up around your local neighbourhood is a great one! Not only is it a simple, practical action but it is also a great opportunity to get outside into nature. Asking your children to write a sustainability pledge, take a photo and display it in the home. You could even keep them accountable by offering a reward if they stick to the pledge for X amount of time. It doesn’t have to be anything too difficult. Storytelling is also a nice one. Perhaps you could talk to your children about how waste and recycling has changed over the years and ask them what they think we could do to improve our waste situation – kids have the greatest ideas!
5. You’ve seen first-hand the impact of collective action through Clean Up Australia. Can you share a story that shows how small steps can lead to meaningful change?
I love this question because the story I’d like to share is the story of how Clean Up Australia came to be! Our Founder, Ian Kiernan was an avid sailor and was shocked and disgusted by the pollution and rubbish that he continually encountered in the oceans. Taking matters into his own hands, Ian organised the first Clean Up event – Clean Up Sydney Harbour in 1989 – 40,000 people showed up! The following year, Clean Up Australia Day was born. Now led by Ian’s daughter, Pip, we have seen over 22+ million volunteers get involved in Clean Up activities.
6. How can people stay motivated and avoid eco-anxiety when trying to live more sustainably in a world that sometimes feels out of balance?
This is a great question as it is becoming more and more common. And it comes back to that idea of taking practical action. We can only do what is in our control. Head out for a short Clean Up. Either by yourself or get some friends and family together. It builds community strength, a sense of pride and hope but is also a fantastic way to get out into nature, taking in the fresh air, getting some exercise in and building connections.
7. Salt Lab focuses on products that support both people and the planet. From your perspective, why is it important to consider the environmental footprint of the items we bring into our homes?
We need to make a conscious effort to be aware of our environmental footprint. We need to create more demand for products that have embedded sustainability practices into their development. We need to support those organisations whether they be using recycled packaging or giving back through regenerative agriculture which I understand Salt Lab is fantastic at doing. Through supporting those organisations, we can create demand and ultimately change.
8. If there’s one conscious habit you wish every household would adopt in 2025, what would it be—and why?
I keep coming back to it but ensuring you’re using your reusable coffee cup and/or water bottle. It’s a small, simple, yet extremely effective way to reduce your environmental footprint. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. I remember the first time I heard this and I was mortified. If we all ensured we were carrying our reusable water bottles, imagine the difference that would make.
9. Is there anything else you'd like to share with our audience?
In 2025, Clean Up Australia is celebrating our 35th anniversary and we have just come out of our Clean Up Australia Day campaign. We are so pleased to share that we have made it our biggest ever Clean Up with approximately 800,000 volunteers getting involved across 8,000 Clean Up events during our Week of Action (Monday 24 February – Sunday 2 March 2025). Our volunteer numbers are growing which is fantastic but also shows us the state of our environment continues to be a concern for the community. We would love to have the Salt Lab community join us on a Clean Up and please feel free to visit our website to find out more information.
Sustainability doesn’t have to be perfect — it's just about making a start. Whether it’s packing your reusable bag the night before or heading out for a clean-up with your little ones, every conscious action counts.
Thank you to the incredible team at Clean Up Australia for leading by example and reminding us that collective action truly does create change. We hope this conversation inspires you to slow down, live with intention, and take small steps that restore balance in your home, and in the world around you.
