From free tap water refills to strict anti-waste policies, hundreds of businesses around the country are starting to walk the walk when it comes to shifting to more eco-friendly practices.

And never have consumers apparently, with research from Planet Ark revealing 79% of Aussies believe companies should take greater responsibility for their impact on the environment.

So, what does this look like in practice and who is getting it right? We put a list together of come of our local eco-heroes so you didn’t have to – check it out.

4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick

The new-ish kid on the block, these guys have been leading the sustainability charge since opening doors last November. Complete with on-site composting, solar panels and compostable and re-usable food packaging, you can sit back, relax and enjoy a guilt-free brew knowing this beloved local is doing their bit.

Reground

It’s no secret that Melbournians love their coffee but have you ever thought about where all the leftover waste gets to? Enter: Reground. This local initiative helps businesses not let any coffee, chaff or soft plastic waste end up in landfill, picking it up from their door and taking it to community gardens, home gardeners or local plastics recyclers who put the waste to positive use.

Moon Rabbit Café

This award-winning, environmentally innovative social-enterprise café is brought to you by the team at Bridge Darebin, a not-for-profit community organisation committed to providing social and educational services to those who need it most. Tucked away in Melbourne’s north, the café has just launched a bulk foods collective, offering affordable bulk items for shoppers who bring their own jars and bags.

South of Johnston

Stationed in the beating heart of Collingwood, this popular cafe is home to more than 40 solar panels that generate 60% of electricity. But that’s not where their efforts end, Sojo is also involved in intensive recycling schemes, free trade coffee, recycled papers and plastics and ongoing community engagement programs. Coffee with cause? Yes please!

And to top it all off, Choose Tap have just launched a new program to help Melbourne cafe's do their bit in tackling the problem of single use plastic. The new Refillers Welcome program asks businesses to display a sticker in the front window, inviting passers-by to drop in for a free tap water refill.

Sound good? Get in touch to find out more and join the momenement.