About Reverse Garbage

Reverse Garbage Cooperative Ltd. is a registered not-for-profit cooperative and is one of Australia's best known and most highly regarded creative re-use organisations. We have been operating since 1974 and are self-sustaining, community-based and committed to minimising resource depletion.

There are four main areas of activity within Reverse Garbage:

1. Resource Re-use

The Resource Re-use operations make available industrial and commercial discards, off-cuts and over-runs to creative and practical people, reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.

Our Re-use Centre in Marrickville provides high quality, low priced, useful and unusual materials for use in arts, craft, education, small business, home renovation and other activities. We are well known and respected in the education, child care, community and arts sectors as people can purchase a huge variety of useful materials from one central location.

2. Education

Reverse Garbage Educational Services delivers a wide range of educational workshops and programs, using Reverse Garbage materials to promote environmental awareness and creativity.

Our educational activities include environmental education programmes for schools, creative workshops at major community events, kids craft activities, train the trainer craft classes, how to re-use workshops, waste education campaigns for local councils and environmental organisations.

3. Environmental Promotions Products

Reverse Garbage offers a range of promotional services such as environmental education performances and games, production of promotional aides - all made with reused materials.

We produce displays, banners, mascots and signs. Our creative production team can design eye catching promotions to ensure your event is a huge success as well being environmentally friendly.

4. Consultancy

Reverse Garbage Consultancy Services provides advice, project management and delivery services to help business, government and community organisations develop and meet waste reduction goals.

Our consultancy services have been used by a broad range of clients concerned with waste management, including the Australia Council, NSW Department of Community Services, NSW Environment Protection Authority, the Environmental Education Trust, regional waste boards, local government, community organisations and business.

Location of Reverse Garbage

Reverse Garbage is located in Sydney's inner west suburb of Marrickville. It is one of many buildings within the Addison Road Community Center. Once you come through the gates look out for Hut 8 on your left, there we are.
8/142 Addison Rd
Marrickville
NSW 2204

The Reverse Garbage Approach

Reverse Garbage aims to decrease human impact on the environment while developing imagination and creativity.

Our activities focus on changing patterns of behaviour around use of materials through:

promoting creative resource re-use
advocating resource-efficient design and manufacturing processes

We work cooperatively with business, government and the community, running and participating in education programs and mutual benefit projects. Whenever possible, we support and collaborate with other communities engaged in similar cooperative activities.

Reverse Garbage is a democratic, non-profit cooperative, committed to:

internationally accepted principles of cooperation
promoting participation of all stakeholders in Reverse Garbage projects
encouraging active involvement of members in the running of the organisation
ensuring staff participation in decision-making.

History

1974

Applied for and received an Area Assistance Plan grant of $35 000. A non-profit co-operative is formed.

1975

Commenced collections and sales to teachers, schools and community groups. Building rented within the Addison Road Community Centre with the aid of Marrickville Council.

1978

Relocated to larger premises within the Addison Road Community Centre. Funding by Department of Community Services allows expansion of services.

1981

Casula Centre commences operations with the aid of Liverpool Council in what was to become the Powerhouse Regional Arts Centre.

1982

Mail order service supplying country schools and childcare centres commences.

1983

Demand from ex-teachers leads to Reverse Garbage making materials available to the wider public for a range of creative activities.

1991

Funding from the Department of Community Services ends. Reverse Garbage becomes self-sufficient.

1992

A grant from the NSW EPA enables Reverse Garbage to undertake innovative work concerning education in waste re-use and reduction. A schools program is established with Marrickville Council and later expanded to other local government areas.

1993

A grant from the NSW EPA enables Reverse Garbage to purchase another truck and employ a driver based at our Casula Re-use Centre.

1997

Full-time Education Officer employed to manage and develop the schools and creative workshops program.

1998

Full-time Waste Project Officer employed to undertake waste reduction consultancy projects.

2001

'Junk Love'- annual Art and Design Competition is launched. With an exhibition of over 80 works from 60 artists and cash prizes of $500 each for Sustainable Design and Art & Design it was a huge success.

2002

Launch of Environmental Promotions, Products, and Design - a service offered by our Community Relations and Education Program to schools, councils, shopping centres etc. Creation of the Big Green Conscience - a children's character available for hire to teach kids about Re-use and Waste Minimisation.

Links

Community

http://communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au/ - Community Builders - NSW Gov't community
Social Entrepreneurs Network Home Page - Social Entrepreneurs Network
http://www.ngo.net.au/communityit - Community based IT services

Eco-Friendly Products and Services

http://www.thegreendirectory.com.au - The Green Directory (eco-friendly products and services listings)
http://www.ecodirectory.com.au - EcoDirectory – promoting sustainable living since 2003.

Environmental Education

http://www.gould.edu.au/ - The Gould League
http://www.cee-ane.org - The Centre For Environmental Education
http://www.incpen.org/html/issues.htm - Environmental Fact Sheets
http://www.wasteboards.nsw.gov.au/resource/default.htm - Resource NSW resource library

Environmental Organisations

http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/ - Resource NSW
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au - Environmental Protection Authority of NSW
our envirnment, it's a living thing - listing of environment online information services - Our Environment - It's a Living Thing
http://www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au - Ecorecycle VIC
http://www.arrnetwork.com.au
http://www.ea.gov.au/events/ - Environment Australia Events

Reuse Centres

http://www.reversegarbage.com.au - Reverse Garbage Brisbane
html://www.pacific.net.au/thebower - The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre

1974	Applied for and received an Area Assistance Plan grant of $35 000. A non-profit co-operative is formed.
1975	Commenced collections and sales to teachers, schools and community groups. Building rented within the Addison Road Community Centre with the aid of Marrickville Council.
1978	Relocated to larger premises within the Addison Road Community Centre. Funding by Department of Community Services allows expansion of services.
1981	Casula Centre commences operations with the aid of Liverpool Council in what was to become the Powerhouse Regional Arts Centre.
1982	Mail order service supplying country schools and childcare centres commences.
1983	Demand from ex-teachers leads to Reverse Garbage making materials available to the wider public for a range of creative activities.
1991	Funding from the Department of Community Services ends. Reverse Garbage becomes self-sufficient.
1992	A grant from the NSW EPA enables Reverse Garbage to undertake innovative work concerning education in waste re-use and reduction. A schools program is established with Marrickville Council and later expanded to other local government areas.
1993	A grant from the NSW EPA enables Reverse Garbage to purchase another truck and employ a driver based at our Casula Re-use Centre.
1997	Full-time Education Officer employed to manage and develop the schools and creative workshops program.
1998	Full-time Waste Project Officer employed to undertake waste reduction consultancy projects.
2001	'Junk Love'- annual Art and Design Competition is launched. With an exhibition of over 80 works from 60 artists and cash prizes of $500 each for Sustainable Design and Art & Design it was a huge success.
2002	Launch of Environmental Promotions, Products, and Design - a service offered by our Community Relations and Education Program to schools, councils, shopping centres etc. Creation of the Big Green Conscience - a children's character available for hire to teach kids about Re-use and Waste Minimisation.