There’s only 400,000 people living on The Sunshine Coast but there’s no shortage of new sustainable businesses cropping up around here. When you live so close to surf beaches and gum tree forests, caring for your local environment becomes second nature.
Being a Sunny Coast sustainable marketing business, we’re always excited to see new eco-friendly brands popping up in our local area. From sustainable seafood to swimwear made from repurposed ocean pollution, here are a few coastal brands we’re following in our feed.
Keep reading for our top 10 picks in 2024. *Note: We weren’t paid for these opinions, we’re simply admirers.
1. Lendy
Ever had to buy a $350 reciprocating saw from Bunnings just to finish off your home demolition project? But now it sits in your garage, buried under a pile of Christmas decorations and 2cm of dust.
What if I told you there’s a better solution? One you won’t accidentally trip over rummaging through storage. Save yourself the bruises and use Lendy.
Lendy is a Sunshine Coast based lending platform that connects people with stuff to people who need stuff. With Lendy, you can choose to be a Lender or be a Lendee. If you’re a Lender, you can generate passive income by lending your stuff to other people. As a Lendee, you can finally start that kitchen makeover project you’ve been dreaming of – at a fraction of the cost.
what makes Lendy sustainable
Lendy is on a mission to transform the way we choose to spend and consume as a whole. If we borrow more and buy less, we can reduce environmental waste.
2. Thrifter
If there’s a pile of clothes in your closet that you’re ready to never see again (at least, on yourself), head over to Thrifter. It’s easier than responding to 20 Facebook Marketplace enquiries for one shirt and you’ll still earn 100% of the sales. Hire a rack in their shop and they’ll sell your wardrobe for the whole calendar month.
what makes Thrifter sustainable
Thrifter is not just a thrift (or op) shop. They’re focused on creating a space for the community to sell pre-loved clothes and meet like-minded individuals. When you choose to buy and sell your clothing through Thrifter, you reduce the negative environmental impact fast fashion has on our planet and natural resources.
3. Pleasant State
Pleasant is exactly how you’ll feel when you spritz Pleasant State‘s lemon and lavender scented cleaner across your dirty bathroom sink. Sunshine Coast founders Ami and Sian founded their ethical cleaning products “because it seemed like a no brainer.”
Back in 2019, Ami had continuous chronic headaches. The solution? Removing plastics and harmful chemicals from her household. That’s when she realised there weren’t any zero-waste, non-toxic cleaning solutions in Australia.
what makes Pleasant State sustainable
Their sustainable cleaning products are biodegradable, greywater and septic safe. They’re also free of artificial fragrances, colours, and preservatives.
If that wasn’t enough to clear your calendar for a spring cleaning, you’ll feel even better knowing that you’re not contributing to single use plastic waste. Pleasant state sells bars that dissolve with water to create cleaning solution.
Oh, and did we mention they’re certified B Corp and members of 1% for the Planet? Let’s get that that mirror to sparkle!
4. Ethical Brand Co
After you’ve finished cleaning your house, you’ll probably need a little dusting off yourself. Ethical Brand Co is here to the rescue. It’s our one stop-shop for organic and ethically made Australian-made hair and skin products. Check out their Cinnamon & Patchouli Deep Treatment if you need to revive your hair after all those salty beach days.
what makes Ethical Brand Co sustainable
We love Ethical Brand Co for their certified cruelty-free body care products, all of which are manufactured in a Certified Organic Factory. Their Sunshine Coast-based factory is ISO 9001 accredited and solar-powered.
5. Surfmud
If you live on The Sunny Coast, you may have a tube of sunscreen stashed in your purse, car, bathroom cabinet, or boat. Because it’s an unwritten rule to always have sunscreen handy on The Sunny Coast, grab a jar of Surfmud‘s Ocean Addicts SPF30 Sunscreen for your next beach day.
what makes Surfmud State sustainable
Surfmud’s packaging is 100% recyclable, landfill biodegradable, and is 35% post-consumer recycled (PCR). It’s reef-safe and made with ingredients you can pronounce.
6. OceanZen
With all this talk of reef-safe sunscreen, we’re ready to dive into OceanZen’s collection of sustainable bikinis! OceanZen’s founder, Steph Gabriel, is on a mission to save the ocean, “one bikini at a time.” After spending many of her summer days diving in the Caribbean, she witnessed the negative effects of consumer waste on marine life. OceanZen was her solution to one of the world’s growing climate problems.
what makes OceanZen sustainable
OceanZen’s sustainable swimwear is made from repurposed fishing nets and plastic bottles found in the ocean. By doing so, this Sunshine Coast based business creates less consumer waste while removing pollution from the ocean. You won’t find any plastic in their packaging process because they ship their swimwear in reusable cotton drawstring bags.
7. Greenhalgh Pickard
Need legal and accounting advice for your sustainable Sunshine Coast business? Greenhalgh Pickard offers comprehensive professional services while operating as a fully carbon neutral business. They created a paperless firm initiative in 2005 and encourage their employees to bike, walk, or e-scooter to work.
What makes Greenhalgh Pickard sustainable
Greenhalgh Pickard has partnered with OneTrace to offset their carbon emissions by planting trees. With the help of OneTrace, they calculate their annual direct emissions, electricity, employee commute, purchased goods and services. This all adds up to determine the number of trees required to offset their environmental impact. They also fund conservation projects in Australia, Nepal, and Indonesia.
8. Aroma’s Noosa
Alright, let’s talk food! Eating local is a small but mighty way to say thank you to our planet. Thanks to Aroma’s Noosa you have the option to eat local for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They source food from their Noosa farm where land regeneration and seasonal growing practices are prioritised.
what makes aroma’s noosa sustainable
Aroma’s Noosa is a member of Plastic Free Noosa. That means, your flat white will be served in a biodegradable, compostable coffee cup when you stop in for a takeaway. If you prefer your eggs on toast to go, they’ll provide takeaway cutlery and containers made from wood and cardboard.
Food waste can negatively impact the planet since it breaks down into methane gas when it sits in landfills. To counter this, Aroma’s Noosa takes their veg waste and used coffee grinds to the Maravista Farm where they are turned into plant-loving compost. They use this compost to grow food for their restaurant – a perfect circle from pasture to our plates.
9. Soulfish Seafood
If prawns, scallops, or squid are on your menu, stop by Soulfish Seafood Noosa for the best sustainable seafood on the coast. They’re a locally owned and operated seafood retailer with 25 years in the fishing sector and an established relationship with The Reef Guardian program.
what makes Soulfish Seafood Noosa sustainable
Fishing lines are a huge factor in ocean pollution. In an interview with Noosa Today, Dan Learoyd from Soulfish Seafood said “…we don’t carry an enormous amount of lines but with the ones we do have, we can guarantee that they are premium products.“ You’ll mostly find seasonal and local seafood options at their Noosa store. Although options may be more limited, it also means they’ll be fresher and tastier.
10. Penny Black Salon
Penny Black is Australia’s first certified green salon and it’s tucked away in Forest Glen, right here on the Sunshine Coast. When you step inside, you’ll immediately notice their Green Living Wall made from recycled materials. The living plants filter common fumes such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide.
While you’re getting your hair done, you’ll be served delicious organic and fair-trade bites to eat. Take a few nibbles and wash it down with a glass of alkalised drinking water.
What makes Penny Black Sustainable
All of Penny Black’s services and products are certified as non-toxic thanks to their Nordic Eco Label Certification. They are allergy certified, vegan, Cosmos certified, and use products that aren’t tested on animals.
Shop sustainably to Protect Our Coast
Sustainability is more than just a buzz-word, it’s a daily practice. By eating local, purchasing environmentally-safe products, and supporting Sunshine Coast businesses, you can help protect our pristine coast line and lush hinterland.
Do you know an eco-friendly Sunshine Coast brand we should follow? Write us a note or DM us on socials.
