Zero Waste Festival 2026

Sustainable living and community action at this year's Zero Waste Festival
More than just a festival, this is a celebration of sustainable living, innovative waste reduction and community connection.
We’ll bring together community members, innovators, academics and changemakers who are creating better ways to keep resources in use and waste out of landfill. Through ideas, inspiration and practical solutions, we’ll showcase what’s possible when we take collective action.

SPEAKER PROGRAM (12:00 PM - 5:30 PM)
12:00 pm: Costa's Garden: Fruit
12:45 pm: Rethinking Plastic: The Good, the Bad, and the Biodegradable
2:00 pm: Everyday Sustainability: Progress Over Perfection
3:15 pm: The Rise of Data Centres and the Hidden Footprint of AI
4.30 pm: Frugal Foodies: Zero Waste Mystery Box Cook-off
6:00 -7:30pm: ReWear Runway – upcycled fashion show
Reserve your tickets here [https://events.humanitix.com/rewear-runway-zero-waste-festival-2026?c=h]
ZERO WASTE EXHIBITORS AND INFORMATION STALLS:
12 – 6 pm
Get inspired by the practical ideas showcased by our lineup of Zero Waste exhibitors. Bring your clothes to mend, your broken things to fix, your difficult things to recycle, and so much more. Learn about how others are taking action and building new ways to support individuals and communities on their zero waste journey. From community crafters to activist groups, there's something to discover for everyone.
Details on the website here [https://zerowastevictoria.org.au/home/zero-waste-festival/]
ZERO WASTE ACTIVITIES
CLOTHES SWAP
Update your wardrobe and swap your unworn clothes, shoes and accessories. Bring up to 6 items to swap. This event is suitable for adults of any gender, age and size.
Swap 1
12 – 1 pm drop off
1 – 2 pm swap
Swap 2
2:30 – 3:30 pm drop off
3:30 – 4:30 pm swap

Please note: Items should be clean, free from faults, and of good quality with a long potential lifespan. No pyjamas, activewear or underwear.
* Registration is required. As places are limited, participants can register for one swap only.

BOOK SWAP
Anyone can give or take a book! Bring up to 3 books to swap. No extras! Please bring books other people are likely to want – so no dirty or damaged books, textbooks, encyclopedias, etc. Children’s books are welcome.

Fabric Swap
* When buying or swapping fabric, length and width is really important (so you know what you can make from it). So please measure, roll/fold and label their fabric.
* Fabrics need to be a minimum of 1 metre long.
* Limit of 5 fabric donations or takeaways per person.
*All leftover fabric will be donated to The Fabric ReStore.

REPAIR CAFÉ AND MENDING CIRCLE
Give your favourite things a second life.
Join our hands-on mending circle where volunteers will help you repair clothes, textiles and even soft toys. Learn easy fixes like button sewing and patching, and discover how easy mending is to do yourself. You will pick up skills you can use again and again.
*You must register to participate in this activity.

RECYCLING CENTRE
Many items are recyclable, as long as they are collected and processed separately. Send your hard-to-recycle items off to a new life at our dedicated Recycling Centre Hosier Lane.
Details here

MINI SPRING CLEAN THE CITY
Team up with fellow eco-warriors Beach Patrol to collect, sort and document litter along the riverbank. Not only will you help beautify our city, but you’ll also contribute to a powerful cause.

ZERO WASTE HANDS-ON FUN 12PM-4PM
Kids and adults alike can get crafty and innovative at our hands-on stalls.
* DIY produce bags to reduce unnecessary plastic waste with fruit and veggies
* Upcycled craft activity
* Make earrings out of recycled materials
* Drawing with Bee Healthy stories with upcycled arcade games
* The Unstich project: endless possibilities


WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT - BECOME A FRIEND OF THE FESTIVAL.

Enjoy exclusive perks as a Friend of the Festival, and help keep this important community event alive and accessible to everyone.
The Zero Waste Festival is led by an incredible team of volunteers, but there are still significant costs involved in bringing this free public event to life. By becoming a financial Friend of the Festival, you will be helping to ensure the festival can continue to inspire, educate and connect people who want to make a positive difference.

Your contribution will help cover the essential costs of delivering the festival.

As a Friend of the Festival, you'll receive:
* reserved seating in the front rows of your selected panel discussion(s)
* an exclusive photo opportunity with either, panel speakers, festival team members or special guests
* access to a recycling or Food Organic and Garden Organics (FOGO) facility tour after the festival (subject to availability)
* a Certificate of Appreciation, recognising your support
* a personalised social media tile so you can proudly share your support
* bragging rights that you’re a Friends of the Festival supporter.
You can find more information here [https://zerowastevictoria.org.au/zero-waste-festival/friends-of-the-festival/]


ZERO WASTE FESTIVAL IS PROUD TO BE A ZERO WASTE EVENT.
To help keep the festival zero waste, we encourage you to bring along a reusable bag, water bottle and coffee cup. Food vendors will also be supplied with reusable plates and cutlery to help us avoid single-use waste. If you bring any waste to the event, we kindly ask you to take it home with you. Thank you for your cooperation!


ZERO WASTE VICTORIA ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE GATHER ON THE LANDS OF THE WURUNDJERI WOIWURRUNG PEOPLE OF THE KULIN NATION, ALONG THE BANKS OF THE BIRRARUNG/YARRA RIVER, AND PAY OUR RESPECTS TO THEIR ELDERS, PAST AND PRESENT.

The Zero Waste Festival is a FREE public event brought to you by Zero Waste Victoria. Proudly supported by venue partner Fed Square.
WITH THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS AND EVENT PARTNERS

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