Grab a cup of coffee, and welcome to the July 2026 edition of the LOCCAL Loop!
Winter might be giving us a chill, but out in the community, our compost piles are staying nice and hot. This month, we are focusing on the incredible community composting events happening around the country, alongside a critical issue that impacts our soil, water, and health: microplastic pollution.
The bane of a composter’s life – plastic fruit stickers – still remains an ongoing problem. Last year South Australia announced it would ban them, but this decision has now been delayed. Perhaps this Plastic Free July you could contact your local member and push them to finally rid us of this ongoing source of contamination!
The intersection of these two topics is where our work matters most. Community composting keeps organic waste local and pure, providing a much-needed alternative to industrial waste streams that often face contamination challenges. Let’s dig into what’s happening this July!
Plastic-free living events
Plastic Free July and Low Waste Living – Perth City Farm, WA – 7 July, 2PM – 3PM:
In this engaging one-hour workshop, you’ll explore the real impact of everyday plastic use and discover simple, practical ways to reduce waste without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your efforts, this session will help you set realistic goals and build habits that last beyond July.
Plastic free living and beeswax wrap making – Ropes Crossing Community Hub, NSW – 11 July 10AM – 12PM:
If you are a Blacktown City Council resident, book your spot with a fully refundable deposit of $14.60. During the session you will hear about the ways to eliminate plastic from your life by using natural or recyclable swaps for common household items. You will also participate in a practical demonstration to make your own safe, beeswax-infused food wraps to take home!
The Plastic Detox – Free Community Film Screening – Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library, VIC – 11 Jul, 6:30pm – 9pm
Join the grassroots organisation, the Plasticless People for a free community screening of the eye-opening documentary, The Plastic Detox. Most of us know about plastic pollution in our oceans, but this film asks a much closer, more personal question: What are everyday plastic-related chemicals doing inside our bodies?
Plastic Free July – DIY Paper Bin Liners – Payneham Community Centre, SA – 18 July 18, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Make your Plastic Free July commitment to use fewer plastic bin liners. How? Come and learn how to fold your own from old newspaper.
Community Composting: What’s On in Australia
Whether you are looking to get your hands dirty or get involved in local advocacy, there are plenty of ways to connect with the composting community this month.
Composting with Seed The Ground (Gold Coast, QLD): Running every Thursday morning in (July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30) from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Seed The Ground is hosting inclusive, hands-on learning experiences as part of the NaturallyGC program. Learn a variety of composting techniques, meet the team, and take home some nutrient-rich compost.
Taringa Community Garden & Compost Hub Toowong, QLD: Join us at the Taringa Community Garden for our weekly gardening bee, starting early every Sunday morning. Turn some compost, do some planting and meet some like-minded neighbours! We regularly have a cuppa and bite to eat after gardening. It’s free to join and all are welcome!
And many more events here
Advocacy and Action
YIMBY Composters (Mt Alexander Shire, VIC): The YIMBY (Yes, In My Backyard) crew is continuing their advocacy to reconsider the rollout of centralised FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) kerbside collection. They are proving that decentralised, highly successful community composting programs keep nutrients cycling locally and deliver environmental benefits that centralised collection can’t match. Read more here.
Tackling the Microplastics Crisis: July Events
Microplastics are an escalating threat to our ecosystems, and the academic and scientific communities are gathering in full force this month to discuss solutions. For our LOCCAL network, staying informed on these issues is vital, as healthy compost requires uncontaminated inputs!
Australian Conferences
For those in the environmental science and waste management sectors, Australia is hosting several major international conferences this July:
July 7: International Conference on Microplastic Monitoring and Environmental Surveillance (ICMMES) — Brisbane
July 24: International Conference on Microplastic Pollution and Environmental Chemistry Solutions (ICMPPECS) — Sydney
July 27: International Conference on Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants (ICMWWTP) — Melbourne
On the Global Stage
International Conference on Microplastic Pollution and Environmental Impact (Texas, USA): Taking place July 30th – 31st, 2026, this global gathering will focus on the ecological risks associated with microplastics, bioaccumulation in the food chain, and analytical techniques for detection.
National Waste News: The Bigger Picture
As recently highlighted for World Environment Day (June 5) by the MRA Consulting Group, Australia is facing a “Waste Paradox.” Despite our recycling rates rising significantly over the last 30 years, the volume of waste sent to landfill has remained stagnant at 20 to 30 million tonnes per year. We are recovering more, but we are also generating more.
Why this matters to us: Landfilled organics generate methane, driving climate change.By decentralising compost and keeping food scraps out of the industrial waste stream, community composters are providing a direct, measurable solution to this paradox. You are turning a massive emissions liability into a rich, soil-building asset.
Get Involved with LOCCAL
Your voice and your bins matter! Here is how you can help us grow the movement:
Join the Network: Membership is completely free. Connect with like-minded composters, learn, share, and help shape the future of community composting across Australia.
Share Your Story: Do you have a composting journey or a local hub profile to share? Send it to us for our blog!
Promote Your Event: Hosting a working bee or a workshop in August? Let us know so we can feature it in the next LOCCAL Loop.
Stay warm, keep turning those piles, and keep the nutrients cycling locally!