Regenerative practice in our cities

One way of connecting with nature is to look at what nature gives us and what we give back in return. Practices that give more than they take are called ‘regenerative’. Explore some here.

Connect with your community

Joining your local community garden is a great way to learn to grow food, connect with others, and encourage more green spaces in your urban environment.

Watch 2040

The film 2040 looks towards a positive future with regenerative solutions that improve the wellbeing of the planet, people and all living systems. Watch the trailer below.

Freshwater habitats

We’ve been blessed with a lot of fresh water here in Aotearoa, ranging from glacier-fed lakes to underground springs. We take a look at some of these habitats’ special residents.

Film: River Dog

Shot in the remote eastern hill-country of the Wairarapa, one human and several dogs take a stand against the water-damaging farming practices of their neighbours. Watch the trailer below and click here for the full documentary.

Connect with our native birds

Our native birds are a huge part of what makes Aotearoa special and form a big motivation for our tree-planting events. Learn more about our remarkable birds here.

Fools & Dreamers

Watch this documentary to discover an incredible story of regeneration. Degraded gorse-infested farmland has been regenerated back into beautiful New Zealand native forest over the course of 30 years, thanks to the dream of one man.

Uniqueness of NZ trees

Aotearoa’s forests evolved alone for over 55 million years. This led to some exceptional forest. Read this article to discover how we host some of the oldest primeval forests in the world, some of the largest plant species, and our trees’ unique adaptations.

Saving our kauri

Watch this short documentary about traditional Māori healer, Tohe Ashby, who looks to indigenous medicine to save an entire forest, one tree at a time.

Connect with marine animals

In Aotearoa, we’re lucky to have a diversity of marine species enter our waters. Protecting them is a main motivator for people taking part in our beach clean-ups. Find out about some of these inspirational animals here.

Colour for our coasts

Try this ocean-themed colouring in from PangeaSeed’s Sea Walls, a project that takes the pressing issues that the oceans are facing to streets around the world. They recreate the murals as colouring-in books to help people connect to the art and the issues at home.

Connect with your local beach

We believe that connecting with nature is also about connecting with the issues our environment is facing. That’s why citizen science is an awesome way to truly get in touch with your local beach. Find out more here.

Recommendations

Check out some of our team’s recommendations for the best ocean podcasts and films. Learn about the threats facing our moana and be inspired by the fantastic world that lies beneath its surface.

Change your behaviour

Not smoking is the simple answer, but if you’re not ready to quit, always make sure your cigarette butts are disposed of responsibly. Because there aren’t always dedicated butt bins nearby, we recommend carrying a tin box with you — a repurposed mint tin is perfect!

Spread awareness! Tell others about this issue. It’s a very common belief that cigarette butts are biodegradable; set people straight and help them make an informed decision about what to do with their butts.

Get involved!

Organise your own cigarette butt, coastline or street clean up! Request a Sustainable Coastlines DIY kit and head out to your local park, pub or other area! Count your butts, take some pictures and share them!

Too busy to do a clean-up yourself but still want to help out? Leave a donation!

Want to get more involved with the work we do at Sustainable Coastlines? Become a member!

Simple swaps for your laundry

Swap plastic clothes pegs for bamboo or stainless steel.

Instead of buying a new bottle of laundry detergent, refill it!

Swap plastic-packaged powders for cardboard.

Swap your fast spin for a slower one to avoid releasing plastic microfibres

Simple swaps while you’re out and about

Wrap your sandwich in reusable food wrap rather than cling film.

Swap the takeaway shop’s plastic container for one you’ve brought from home.

Feeling snacky? Head to a cafe or bakery — it’s easy to avoid plastic-wrapped snacks.

Know where to refill next and skip the single-use water bottle! Visit refillnz.org.nz

Simple swaps for your next road trip

Pack your lunch and snacks before you hit the road to avoid single-use food wrappers.

Buy from road-side stalls. The fruit is normally package-free, cheaper, and delicious!

Swap single-use food containers and cutlery for the ones you packed before leaving home!

Simple swaps for your bathroom

Swap shampoo bottles for shampoo bars! Carry them in a little tin box when travelling.

Switch your plastic cotton buds for compostable ones.

When your nylon dental floss runs out, replace it with the compostable kind.

Plastic toothbrush nearly dead? Get a bamboo one next time!

Simple swaps for your kitchen

Buy in bulk or products packaged in glass or tin for a plastic-free pantry!

Your plastic dish brush is destined for landfill. Replace it with a composable brush.

When your plastic kitchen utensils need a refresh, get stainless steel or wood ones instead.

Swap cling wrap for compostable cling wrap or wax paper.

Change the way you wash

Wash on a lower temperature. This is less aggressive on the fabric and therefore less likely to shake out microfibres.

Use a Guppy Bag or Coraball. They claim to collect microfibres during your washing.

Load up! A full washing machine reduces friction between items.

Use a lower rotation. Faster spins shake up clothes more, risking more shedding.

Wash less. If your clothes aren’t really dirty, hang them out to air, use a refreshment spray and wear an apron when cooking!

Shop different

Your clothes are more likely to shed in the first few washes. So keep your clothes for longer and shop secondhand!

Avoid plastic clothes if possible. Aim for Tencel, hemp, linen, organic cotton or organic wool. Check the label to see if the fabric consists of plastic. The most commonly used plastic fabric is polyester.

If you need a new T-shirt, check out ours here! They’re 100% organic cotton, so microplastic free.

Use the Good On You app to check the sustainability of your clothing brands and the ethics and environmental impact of fabrics! For example, Tencel would be an environmentally friendly fabric to use for your sportswear!

Even though fabric made out of recycled plastic bottles sounds great, they still shed microfibres into our water!

Change your habits

Single-use plastic bottles are out, but carrying a refillable water bottle is in! Use the Refill NZ app to find a nearby water refill station.

If you need to get yourself a good-quality water bottle, check out our range here.

Keen for something other than water? Try looking for glass bottles or a can first! If a plastic bottle is your only option, make sure you know your recycling labels and only buy bottles that can be recycled! Remember, recycling should always be your last resort!

Get involved!

Could your street or beach use some love? Request a Sustainable Coastlines DIY kit and organise your own beach or street clean up!

Too busy to do a clean-up yourself but still want to help out? Leave a donation!

Want to get more involved with the work we do at Sustainable Coastlines? Become a member!