Zero waste can be fun, creative, and community-led
- comms514
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Locals are leading the charge towards a cleaner, greener Magnetic Island - without the waste.
What do JunkFest, Pharmacycle, Containers for Change, and BioRegen have in common? They’re more than just clever initiatives, they’re the building blocks of a bold, community-driven vision for a zero-waste future on Yunbenun (Magnetic Island, or Maggie as it’s affectionately known).
Nestled within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), Magnetic Island is surrounded by coral reefs and seagrass meadows. It’s a natural paradise, but also the most urbanised island in the GBRWHA, and popular with day trippers and overnight visitors. This popularity brings a unique challenge: managing large volumes of waste in a fragile environment. Most waste must be transported off the island by barge, with only green waste staying behind.
At the heart of the island’s sustainability efforts is one of our Partners, the Magnetic Island Community Development Association (MICDA), who are leading the charge toward a cleaner, greener future. And recently, that vision came to life in a vibrant and inspiring way.
JunkFest: a bold, successful experiment in waste free events
JunkFest brought together creativity, education, and community action in an event designed not just to entertain and inspire, but to challenge attendees to rethink their relationship with waste.
For Aniko Papp, MICDA’s Coordinator Towards Net Zero MI-Yunbenun and JunkFest organiser, the concept was familiar. JunkFest was a highlight in the yearly calendar in Katherine, where she had previously worked.
“So, when the chance came to align a creative event with our Zero Waste Strategy here on Magnetic Island, JunkFest felt like the perfect fit,” shared Aniko.
Supported by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and a community grant from Townsville City Council, JunkFest was a test case for what a truly zero waste event could look like. From strict vendor guidelines to hydration stations and an industrial dishwashing station, every detail was carefully planned to minimise waste.
“We wanted people to see just how much we throw away without thinking,” said Aniko. “JunkFest might not reduce waste directly, but it changes the conversation. And that’s where real change starts.”
Among the crowd favourites were composting workshops, weaving sessions, and eye-catching sculptures and fashion crafted from discarded materials.
With over 500 attendees and glowing feedback, JunkFest proved that sustainability can be both achievable and enjoyable.
“Convincing food vendors to comply with zero-waste rules posed a challenge, but most embraced the shift,” said Aniko. “If you take the choice away, people adapt. It’s just about showing them how.”
As Maggie and the broader Townsville region continue their journey towards a zero-waste future, events like JunkFest are more than just a fun day out. They’re a powerful example of what’s possible when a community comes together, not just to reduce waste, but to celebrate the solutions.
Protecting paradise with a Zero Waste Strategy
For over seven years, MICDA’s Zero Waste volunteer group has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship on Maggie tackling the challenges of waste and landfill with a community-first approach.
“Our island is 75% national park, home to native wildlife and visited by hundreds of thousands each year. Protecting this unique environment means caring for both land and sea,” says Julie Woodlock, Coordinator of Volunteer Members and Magnetic Island Zero Waste.
With tourism expected to rise from 300,000 to 400,000 visitors in under five years, the group is focused on promoting sustainable practices, from encouraging reusable coffee cups to pushing for a local FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) system that would keep compostable waste on the island.
“We can’t ignore the carbon footprint of consumerism, from packaging and transport to landfill. Soft plastics and fast fashion are among the worst offenders,” Julie explains.
The community has responded with local op-shops, upcycled markets, and initiatives like Pharmacycle are making a real impact. In just 10-months, nearly 34,000 blisters packs were collected through the Island’s pharmacy, recovering 43 kilograms of plastic and 7 kilograms of aluminium. The materials are transformed into PVC fences and steelmaking components.
As the current funding cycle comes to a close, the group is calling for continued support, including a paid Zero Waste Coordinator and business consultant to help bring the “Net Zero Magnetic Island” vision to life.
In the meantime, the volunteers continue to lead by example; educating, modelling sustainable behaviours, and engaging both locals and visitors alike. Messaging is consistent across ferries, guides, and social media, ensuring everyone who steps foot on the island understands their role in protecting it.
“Even our visitors want to be part of the solution to protecting this natural treasure,” Julie adds.
Keeping Magnetic Island beautiful
Events like JunkFest highlight the community’s commitment to protecting this island gem. Yet, litter can still find its way there.
Several sites around Magnetic Island are regularly cleaned by volunteers and partners through the ReefClean program, funded through the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.
What the volunteers collect is counted and the data uploaded to Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database.
“The data in the AMDI Database provides the Healthy Waters Partnership with a snapshot of litter pressure at a number of sites across the Townsville Dry Tropics, which includes Magnetic Island,” explains Dinny Taylor, the Partnership’s Senior Environmental Data Analyst.
“Not only are the results included in the yearly Waterways Report Card, but they also help focus efforts on where action needs to be taken to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution on our beautiful North Queensland environments,” she said.
In the 2025 Report Card, the beach at Alma Bay had the highest litter pressure in the region, recording a ‘high’ pressure. Prior to this, the site had consistently recorded ‘low’ pressure since 2020.
If you’re heading to Maggie to hit the trails, spot a koala or picnic at a beach, here are some easy ways you can help keep the island beautiful on your next visit:
Take your rubbish home with you.
Bring a refillable water bottle and top up at a refillable station on the island.
If you’re planning a cuppa, pack your own coffee cup. Many cafes offer discounts if you BYO cup. Just ask.
The Towards Net Zero Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) climate action project is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
