Aussie retailer Coles has faced criticism from shoppers and environmental groups following a series of flip-flops over its efforts to eliminate single-use bags. Though people want brands to take action on plastic waste, the incident showed that they don’t want to be inconvenienced in the process.

Plastic straws have been demonised since images of marine life being damaged by them hijacked the public consciousness and spawned a flurry of Insta-activism. #Stopsucking is an example of how these eco-protests evolve, why they matter and how they inspire actual change.

As Australians become more aware of the impact that plastic waste has on the environment, they’re looking for ways to make a difference. Viva la Cup, a reusable coffee cup network, is taking action on the problem of single-use cups – but how can it address the value-action gap among consumers?

Food production has a bigger impact on the planet than anything else humans do, yet for all the natural resources spent, it’s estimated that a third of all food is squandered. Toast Ale is attempting to tackle the problem of wastage in a novel way – by making craft beer out of surplus bread.