Sustainability

Fill the pantry with fresh produce or your closet with locally-made goods from Sydney's best markets—this is our complete guide for 2025. 

Make conscious and considered choices when deciding what to buy and give.

To all of you who kind of want to be more sustainable but kind of think it sounds too tricky, we hear you. We’ll admit that it can be tough to navigate what’s good and what’s bad in this crazy world of greenwashing and information overload, but it’s really not so hard to be the eco-warrior you always wanted to be.

Sydney is home to a rich and eclectic collection of businesses owned or operated by our refugee community—serving up vegan Palestinian sweets, Iraqi shortbread, Rohingya curries, and Syrian breakfast buffets. 

Set yourself a pledge to give back. Volunteering your time and effort is a rewarding, warm-fuzzy experience. The positives are endless: you’ll experience a sense of purpose, learn new skills, and connect with cool new peeps.

As well as producing the world’s first Kurdish Gin and Kurdish Arak, refugee-owned Bandesh Wine & Spirits has a dream of a better future. 

We chat with Gina Barjeel about her eponymous fashion label, how her cultural background and ethos influence her work, and empowering women. 

Here’s how to recycle your stuff the right way in Sydney. 

Your guide to volunteering in Sydney. 

We chat with Tinsae Elsdon about Ethiopian food, coffee ceremonies, and where she shops for Ethiopian spices in Sydney. 

To put it simply, the theory behind the CE is about transforming our current linear consumption model (Take-Make-Waste) into a circular one that keeps products and services in use for longer (well, forever) to reduce environmental impact and protect precious natural resources. 

Born in 2019, Australian-based sneaker brand BLAC needs to be on your radar if you’re looking to take positive, planet-saving steps when it comes to style.

On a journey to live a greener life? Technology is proving itself as the key to protecting Mother Earth. Innovative products are making sustainable living more viable and, ultimately, making the world a better place.

 Consider this your ultimate map to guilt-free shopping and you in when it comes to securing some seriously smug second-hand finds.

Originally slated to open in July this year, we finally have an official open date for Josh Niland's newest Sydney eatery, Charcoal Fish. 

When it comes to the beauty industry, sustainable and eco-conscious aren’t often the first words that come to mind, which is why we’re just a little bit obsessed with Anna Ross, the boss babe behind vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand Kester Black.

Although in-person NAIDOC Week events have been wiped from the calendar for a second year due to COVID lockdowns, there’s plenty of meaningful ways to support First Nations peoples from your own home this week. 

The winners of The Circle Awards AUS & NZ 2021 have officially been announced, and our carts (and hearts) are full of sustainable swaps we never knew we needed.

After being unceremoniously cancelled in 2020 and following a year that might have left us all wondering if fashion week was still relevant, Afterpay Australian Fashion Week felt a whole lot more electric this time around—and there are a few reasons why. 

Tetsuya’s is one of Sydney’s most iconic restaurants—a bright star on Australia’s Japanese dining scene for over 30 years. From within a heritage-listed site on Kent Street, complete with a tranquil Japanese garden, chef Tetsuya Wakuda OAM has wooed generations with his finessed traditional fare—and a certain confit of ocean trout that remains to be one of Sydney’s most loved dishes.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains the names of people who have passed away.

Here at Urban List, we're passionate about putting our best foot forward, dedicated to being as conscious as possible when it comes to sustainability.

Single O is one of Sydney's OG purveyors of fine bean juice. These guys have been championing and cheering caffeine in all its finer formats since 2003 and their pint-sized Surry Hills cafe was one of the spots where Sydney’s coffee culture really kicked off.

The hospitality sector has had a lot of time to think during the pandemic. Award-winning bartender Matt Whiley decided that once things returned to some semblance of normality, he was going to do things differently—like, really differently. 

Sex education in Australia needs a shake-up—here’s how you can help. 

It’s part of a big plan to plant one million trees in Sydney by 2022.

Like your supper with a side of goodwill?

Meet the matriarcy.

Sometimes, far away from the noise of new restaurants in Sydney—the hats, the brassy international accolades, the frenzied Instagram food crazes, and the trendy chefs—you get to find something quietly special. For Sydney right now, we think that dining spot is French-inspired, sustainably-minded fine diner, Métisse.

Clean up our beautiful harbour while you explore with an oar. 

We all work hard, and we certainly all deserve a getaway to relax. But in a year which has been so straining for Sydneysiders, the overseas travel plans which usually give us life and rest have all been cancelled by the very thing causing us extra stress. Luckily, we live in an incredibly picturesque country with endless holiday, camping and adventuring spots. This summer, it's time to look in our own backyard and explore the holiday ideas we too often overlook.

Created using Cottonised Hemp instead of regular cotton, Levi’s new High Loose and Stay Loose jeans are a revelation for our times. If you’re not yet clued into Cottonised Hemp, this water-saving, energy-saving, low-chemical innovation has been specially designed for Levi’s. 

By using dry heat, as opposed to the wet heat of gas roasting, wood roasting allows for a greater caramelisation of coffee beans, a more even roast and cleaner, sweeter flavours. The Wood Roaster is leading the charge for wood roasted beans in Sydney. 

There are ways you can help Lebanese disaster relief from afar—and a Sydney-created social media silent auction called “Lebathon” is just one.

Located in Yenda, about 30 minutes outside of Griffith, Yarran Wines has been more or less a well-kept secret, an if-you-know-you-know type spot. But the secret's out—the vineyard has just won Halliday Wine Companion’s Dark Horse Winery of the Year for 2021. 

Sprout Stack grows 15 varieties of vibrant greens in hydroponic shipping containers in a warehouse in Warriewood on the Northern Beaches. They’re pioneers of the urban farming movement that has been gaining traction in places like the US and the UK where compact rooftop farms have become common.

Got your keep cup and a reusable water bottle? Level up with these plastic-free products from Go For Zero. 

Redfern Surf Club has created sustainable party bags—basically fancy and environmentally friendly goon sacks. And they are slick. 

This weekend, several protests and vigils will be held around the country. They’re a sign of solidarity for the death of George Floyd but also a time to reflect upon and learn about  Australia’s long-standing and deeply troubled history of racism, and specifically, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody. 

In spite of the environmental impact and the fair warning—it seems the current NSW Government has forgotten about last summer’s fires: logging has recommenced in full force in NSW. Here's how you can help to stop it. 

Sydney chef Josh Niland is one-of-a-kind and a real national treasure. His book, The Whole Fish Cookbook just won the super-prestigious James Beard Foundation Book of the Year Award. 

NSW has just scored a ripping new regional escape directory that’s brimming with unique properties. Think forest cabins, floating villas and tiny houses. 

Over the last few years, natural, organic and sustainable wines have edged their way into Sydney's heart. If you're looking to play at home, there are a few heroes selling bottles of the good stuff in Sydney. 

Let us introduce Urban List Sustainability, a commitment we are launching in partnership with Bank Australia to take our platform and our incredible community to the next level as we commit to having an even more positive impact on the planet and its people.

Within the layers of Holly Ryan’s eponymous jewellery label is fashion and art—but also a strong sense of respect for the planet and sustainability.

From vegan leather accessories to delicious crepes for homelessness, we round up the best of this year's ING Dreamstarters. 

Sydney has a whole lot of supermarket alternatives that’ll have you trimming your carbon footprint in favour of more sustainable (more flavourful, even) food.

These days, every decision and effort we make counts—so here are the most sustainable and environmentally friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Being vegetarian is remarkably easy in Sydney these days. We’ve narrowed down our favourite plant-based restaurants for all the vegetarians out there to add to their dining bucket list.

These six standout brands with innovative packaging ideas are here to help save the planet. 

When it comes to looking after your hair—styling, colouring and maintaining your bob, bangs, fade or balayage—it’s actually easier than you think to choose environmentally-friendly over environmentally-disastrous.

This year and for the first time ever, Urban List is bringing Getting the Gig to life in Sydney—a panel series and a networking night complete with flowing natural wine, goodie bags and good vibes. 

On the 10th of December, Level 2 water restrictions took effect in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra. But what does that actually mean? And can you water your beloved house plants, or wash your car?

Before you jump on the next fad diet, check out our picks of Sydney’s healthiest eateries. We’re pretty lucky here in Sydney that there are lots of brilliant cafes and restaurants that put a lot of heart and health into their recipes, making brunch a wholesome, healthy affair, instead of something you might (sort of) regret a bit later. 

Thought Taronga Zoo couldn’t get any wilder? Think again.

Coming up in September, Adelaide’s incredible ethical cocktail bar Maybe Mae shifting to Sydney for three-days of waste-free, guilt-free party vibes. 42BELOW Vodka has paired with the SA bar, as well as Sydney’s Acre Eatery to present Waste-Free Weekender. 

Featuring one-off menus from Hartsyard and Dear Sainte Eloise to start.

The West does it best.

Hosted at the Marrickville Bowlo, Hiccup Sustainable Art Party will feature climate change-inspired installations from 11 artists and a whole lot of live music. 

Inspired by the six head of cattle that arrived with the First Fleet, 6 Head features harbour views, history and some of the best steak we've ever sampled. 

Through his Adelaide eatery Orana, Jock Zonfrillo been passionately championing cooking and ingredients drawn from First Nations food culture—a subject he’s been investigating for just shy of two decades. And in August, he’ll be bringing Orana to Sydney for a one-month-only restaurant residency.

Did you know that by 2050 the oceans could have more plastic than fish? Scary, huh? To help prevent that frightening statistic becoming a reality, this weekend, as part of World Oceans Day, SEA LIFE is hosting its first ever 24-Hour Global Beach Clean

Let’s chat about breaking a dirty, little habit. No, we don’t mean your daily 3pm chocolate binge, we’re talking about using and abusing plastic for just about everything. The time has come to give it all up. 

You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t adore sartorial sister act Jess and Stef Dadon. From their perfectly curated Instagram account How Two Live (with 99k followers and counting), to their brand-new podcast and amazing vegan shoe range TWOOBS, the siblings are the definition of boss babes.

Described as “earth, people and animal-friendly”, each one of Wolfgang Scout's plush jumpers is hand knitted by Indian artisans, made using Australian yarn and hand-dyed with natural and organic dyes. 

As far as dream jobs go, they don’t get much greater than owning your own record label. Top that off with the fact that you’re only 23 years old and you’ve got Perth music mogul in the making, Vincent Tolefe. Transforming his love of beats into Your Angle Records, Tolefe is solid proof that hard work, patience and passion are all the ingredients you need for the kind of day job most could only image.  

Tkay Maidza is the ambitious Australian rapper taking up space on everyone’s playlist right now. We caught up with her during recording sessions in Melbourne to dive into her wardrobe and talk creative inspirations, self-discovery, fashion as expression and never (ever) blending in.

Magnum has announced that vegans can have a piece of the goodness.

You never realise how hard it is to buy for a vegan until you’re stuck doing it. Make things easy on yourself and treat your vegan friend to one of these treats.

To propel positive change this holiday season, we’ve rounded up seven of our favourite ING Dreamstarter startups, each with standout causes to get behind and sustainable products worth giving.

Seriously though, how much time do you have because we’ve been lusting over everything all damn day.

Down in this beautiful pocket of the world we’re blessed with some of the most incredible beaches and marine life, but it’s on us all do our bit to ensure the next gen can enjoy and appreciate that big, beautiful blue and its inhabitants.

People are becoming more aware of the impact consuming animal products has on our bodies and our planet and are gradually reducing their intake. With so many ways of doing this, you can hardly blame us for feeling a little lost when it comes to understanding what all these diets actually mean. We set out to discover what the differences between veganism and plant-based eating really are, and this is what we found.