Businesses

Dave Spees, Katoomba-based carpenter and founder of Against the Grain, has turned the by-product of his craft into a sustainable, sought-after winter fuel. His compressed sawdust briquettes are now helping to heat homes across the Blue Mountains, all while dramatically reducing landfill waste.

With 23 shops to explore, including lots of funky vintage clothing stores and op shops, Katoomba is a growing hub for sustainable fashion and the circular economy. Take a tour of what’s on offer where..

Sal Isaksen, owner of Sal-On in Katoomba, is making a stand against fast fashion and its environmental impacts. Visit her store and hear her story in this piece by volunteer writer Camille Walsh.

Australian Pollinator Week 2023 is 11-19 November. And BUZZBUZZ is a new shop that has opened in Leura to champion pollinators. You can too - find out how here.

Op shops and secondhand stores are booming in Katoomba, part of a growing interest in the circular economy. It's also helping locals save money while looking good in vintage and retro fashion.

A home among the gum trees is a dream for many of us. But turning that dream into a reality in one of the most bushfire-prone regions in the country can be tricky. Architect Nigel Bell helps us navigate the fundamentals of building or renovating for bushfire resilience.

Troubled by my weekly packaging waste, I compared leftover packaging from a sample shop at the Blue Mountains Food Co-op with a similar supermarket shop. The results were enlightening.

“Wherever I go, bookstores are still the closest thing to a town square.” – Gloria Steinem. Founder of Good Earth Bookshop Mary Coin talks about the importance of community connection and the enduring power of books.

Blue Mountains City Council has just achieved ECO Destination Certification for the Blue Mountains region after completing a rigorous two year assessment and auditing process.

Blue Mountains Bushland Nursery Incentive is Blue Mountains City Council’s free accreditation scheme to prevent the sale of invasive priority weeds within our Local Government Area and is supported by the Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACT.