Reset returns to Fed Square this spring for a month-long program of free, family-friendly events and activities promoting sustainable living, conservation and connecting with nature.
From September 1 to October 6, visitors can check out discussions, film screenings, tours, installations and interactive workshops designed to inspire and model practical steps towards meaningful environmental change.
“Often people want to live more sustainably but they don’t know what that looks like,” Kirsty Bishop-Fox, Zero Waste Victoria’s president and co-founder, tells Broadsheet. “It can feel overwhelming … but sustainable and conscious living is in these little changes we can do. They can turn the overwhelm into action.”
Take a simple trip to the supermarket. “Most of us are pretty good at going shopping and taking our reusable bags, but what about our produce bags? It’s easy to eliminate those [plastic] produce bags just by keeping broccoli loose … or we might take a reusable bag to put spinach or beans in.”
By going along to Reset, you’ll walk away with all sorts of actionable advice – “whether you’re wanting to get started with some practical tips, or you’re already deeply immersed into [sustainable living] and wanting to connect with like-minded people”.
A particular highlight is the Zero Waste Festival on Saturday September 14. It brings together waste-reduction champions like Bishop-Fox and exhibitors selling low-waste items like beeswax wraps and reusable sanitary products. There will also be panel discussions on big topics like medical and building waste.
Guest speakers include educators and innovators Lindsay Miles from Treading My Own Path and The Urban Nanna, aka Anna Matilda, “talking about permaculture and zero-waste living but specifically in rentals,” Bishop-Fox says.
The clothes swap is back on the agenda, too. You can bring up to six items in good condition to switch out for some pre-loved treasures, or head to the Repair Cafe where the team will help you restore broken items to working order.
Kids’ activities include learning to make produce bags from reclaimed material. “When you present things to [young people] and they connect with biodiversity and reducing waste, it just normalises it,” Bishop-Fox says. “Research has shown that people are happier when we go back to those basic fundamentals. It’s setting them up [from childhood].”
Here are Bishop-Fox’s other top picks for Reset 2024.
Plant Based Paradise
The festival kicks off with this vegan-minded market, which is more than just a show of plant-based cuisine. It will include a range of fashion, beauty and eco-friendly goods with vegan practices at their core. That means there’s something for everyone, not just those practising veganism. “We all need more plants in our diet and in our lives, whether or not we eat meat,” Bishop-Fox says.
When: Saturday September 7, 9am to 4pm
Where: Atrium, The Edge, Edge Terrace
Price: Free
The Greenline Project Walking Tour
Led by landscape architects and the City of Melbourne’s Greenline Project team, this guided walking tour along the north bank of the Yarra River takes a behind-the-scenes look at the public spaces being built along four kilometres of the Birrarung. “You’ll get to learn about the area’s history and what’s in the pipeline for the space,” Bishop-Fox says.
When: Friday September 13, 2pm to 3pm
Where: The Greenline Project Hub, River Terrace
Price: Free
Beehive Tours
Rooftop Bees runs two beehives atop Fed Square’s Crossbar Building. On one Saturday in spring, two tour groups will be taken to the rooftop to learn about the crucial role these insects play, even in the middle of a CBD. “People are really surprised to learn how important bees are in an urban setting – we need to have bees to pollinate,” Bishop-Fox says. “You’ll get to see the working hives in action.” If you miss out on a spot, you can also check out the live Bee Cam 24/7.
When: Saturday September 14, 11.30am and 1pm
Where: Crossbar Building, Fed Square
Price: Free
Young Earth Protectors
During the school holidays, the Zero Waste Victoria team will help kids find their voice. “The kids will be given different scenarios – mainly waste-focused – and they’ll brainstorm actions they can take or a message they can send out,” Bishop-Fox says. “It’s a fun, engaging and immersive adventure into nature’s heart, where they’ll learn about the importance of preserving biodiversity but considering the impact of waste and pollution.”
When: Wednesday October 2, 11.30am to 12.30pm
Where: The Edge
Price: Free
Big Toy Swap
On the same day as Young Earth Protectors, kids can bring along up to six gently used toys, games or books for the first Zero Waste Victoria toy swap. “It’s a way to teach children to buy second-hand and consume less,” Bishop-Fox says.
When: Wednesday October 2, from 11am
Where: The Edge
Price: Free
Broadsheet is a proud media partner of Fed Square. Find out more about the Reset program and other events happening across September and October at Fed Square online.