Teachers, artists, community workers and others have always used discards and offcuts from industry for creative and educational uses. This has not always been successful as factories have found it difficult dealing with individuals who do not have a systematic and reliable means of collection. As well, most people do not have the time or resources to access the scale and variety of reusable materials that factories produce. So, in 1975 teachers, community workers and parents set up an industrial Re-use Centre and purchased a truck to collect materials from all over Sydney.

Everyone's welcome at our huge Marrickville depot, or we can mail materials out. Ring our mail order service on (02) 9569 3132 to arrange a mail order purchase, or Order Online.

Anyone can shop at Reverse Garbage although we are particularly popular with child care centres, artists, craftspeople, theatre groups, students, teachers, market and fete stall holders, set designers, model makers, quilters, dressmakers, fashion, & costume designers.

One of our aims is to extend the life of materials by having them used in a long term way. We have many educational resources available that outline particular uses for our products. We can also provide workshops for teachers and others working with children, and art/design students. It's only limited by your imagination.

Some of our items we obtain on a regular basis. Others are semi regular, or are one off items. Below are some examples of the diverse materials we make available (please note that although the following are regularly stocked, they are not always available):

Plastics

Perspex, polypropylene, moulded and extruded shapes, gasket punchouts, PVC, 0-rings, acetate, expanded polystyrene (sheets, blocks and shapes), lidded containers, bubble wrap, closed cell foam, EVA.

Computers

We have a wide range of computer products ranging from old collectible MACs and PCs (Apple IIe, 386, AMIGA etc) through to P1 through to P4 2.4GHz and G3/G4 towers. We also have a wide range of storage options including USB, SCSI, FireWire and Fcal JBODS and RAID arrays. Printers are also available including low running cost lasers and inkjets. All products are tested beforehand so you know that they are working.

Electrical & Electronics

Stereos, Ghetto Blasters, Phonographs, cables, combo CD/Tuner/Casette, modular amps, tuners, CD and speakers. They're all here starting from a low $5.00.

Paper

Rolls and sheets of coloured and white paper, greeting cards, post cards, maps, posters.

Cardboard

Boxes in good condition large and small, sheets, corrugated cardboard, cones, mount board.

Coreflute/Foamcore/Perspex/Mountboard

New clean offcuts of plastics/Nylons and Card ideal for framing, making signs, sculpture, etc.

Holland Blinds

Great to use as a canvas.

Paints

Various types of paints including;
- Household paints - $1/Litre
- Screen pritning paints - $2 - $15 various sizes

Great for art and around the home.

Containers

Cardboard fibre drums, plastic drums, metal drums boxes.

Display materials

Mannequins, decorations, novelty display objects, display cases and stands.

Metals

Punchouts, shelving brackets, wire and sheet metal, aluminium fittings.

Stationery

Home and office stationery including envelopes, paper, manilla folders, ring binders, hanging files, rubber bands, adhesive labels, calenders, diaries.

Office furniture

Desks, filing cabinets, chairs, trays etc.

Wood products

De-nailed timber, MDF, laminated particle board, veneer, picture frames.

Leather

Belts, rolls, skins, offcuts (larger than hand size).

Haberdashery materials

Bias binding, cushion and toy filling, buttons, cotton and wool thread, belts, clips, shoulder pads, braid, ribbon, buttons.

Fabrics

Rolls, swatches, sample books, cotton stripping, fake fur, felt, large textile off-cuts, quilting fabrics.

Machine parts

Circuit boards, keyboards, power supplies, cogs, sprockets.

Other

Springs, wheels, rubber, audio and video cassettes, moulds, scourer offcuts, wool, games, scientific equipment, building materials.

And lots more !!!