Q&A with Reverse Garbage

Reverse Garbage in Marrickville is a creative reuse centre making a difference by reducing waste and changing the way we look at resources. The organisation was founded in 1975 by a group of teachers and community workers who wanted to ease pressure on the environment by diverting industrial discards from landfill and reusing those materials in their classrooms. Fifty years on, Reverse Garbage inspires and supports kids, adults, artists, students, teachers and community groups to consume less, make more, save money – and feel good doing it!

In 2022 RG moved from its original premises at Addison Road Community Centre to a nearby fit-for-purpose warehouse space, and Kirsten Junor took over as CEO. The organisation has been a long-time participant in ADC’s annual Sydney Craft Week. Kirsten answers some questions for Good Natured.

50 years of Reverse Garbaging, what is the secret to your success?

That’s a hard one but on the whole I would say the people. It’s a weird and wonderful place to work and hang out all day. Our team is amazing, sorting through piles of donations every day then helping customers with odd requests and finding what they need for any particular project. It’s the passion for Reverse Garbage that I think is the true secret of our success. We are intergenerational now and it’s a lovely day when people come back after many years away and love to tell us their own reminiscences of RG and what they used to buy for use in their classrooms, at home, theatre or community groups. Longevity in a self-funded not-for-profit organisation is a huge achievement. RG turns 50 in 2025 and as an organisation we stand on many shoulders of people who have had the passion and drive for our mission – creative reuse for all.

How has the organisation evolved?

We still have the same mission as 50 years ago: to save as much as we can from landfill and educate about the difference between reuse and recycling and the benefits of reuse. What has changed is the difference in our donations and how far we have to travel for them. Marrickville used to have a lot more light manufacturing 50 years ago; now we have to travel further west to pick up materials that are great for reuse. Fashions also change – couldn’t sell a cassette tape 10 years ago, now they walk out the door! With social media we can connect with more people not only for letting customers know about the one-off unique items we have for sale but also educating around reuse and our social, environmental and economic impact.

In 2022 RG moved and you became CEO, what has changed as a result?

I joined RG in May 2015 after working for another awesome not-for-profit, Dress for Success. RG at Addison Rd had a special place in many people’s hearts, and of course we were worried about bringing everyone along with us as we moved down the road! It was a hard time for us all, emotionally and physically, after 47 years in one place. But we’ve really found our place in the community here – wonderful customers and donors followed us on our journey and new ones have found us. We have made a huge effort to elevate RG from just being seen as the place to go to for cheap craft materials to a place of education and advocacy. RG has a huge social, environmental and economic impact and it’s this message I have worked hard to deliver to the wider community as well as through partnerships to strengthen and consolidate our advocacy around reuse.

Most satisfying thing about the job?

The stories and the people I meet. Lucky is not the word really – I am able to look at so many different types of donations every day. It’s like working in a time capsule some days then another day unusual props from a film come in, then the next day it’s my favourite regular donation, the cardboard cones. I love that we have so many regular customers and the RG team is awesome.

Most frustrating thing?

Government and funders thinking recycling is the answer. It just isn’t – we can’t recycle our way out of this mess. I’m often found ranting at my computer or thin air about slowing down consumption, green washing, not being recognised for grant funding, the list goes on. I once asked a fellow circular economy proponent how they keep going – ‘relentless optimism’ was his answer. I love this and think of it often post-rant.

Most popular items?

Hard to say – we rescue about five ton per month and you’re still able to walk into the warehouse so it all must sell! Hessian sacks are a regular, lovely fabrics are always popular when we announce we have them on the shelf. We rescued a huge skip load of buttons from a manufacturer who was closing down – we are still selling these.

Your favourite reusable craft material at RG?

Fabrics, no competition there! I make most of my clothes so the fabric here inspires my choices. Mind you it has to be really wonderful for me to take it home as I have a bit of a collection to get through...

Best-ever finds at RG?

A metal hip – for a hip replacement! The stacks and stacks of beautiful old but never unpacked handkerchiefs are very special and sooo pretty. It’s the simple things sometimes – we receive triangular timber offcuts have such crafting and making potential, from early childhood blocks to sculpture. From a a quick ask round the warehouse: the huge gold throne, giant cupcakes, crazy art, ride-on horses... the list goes on. Every day it’s something unique and quirky. I think RG invented FOMO – we have people here every day checking out what has come in.

How do children respond when they visit?

Kids always spy the huge pink dinosaur and I love listening to them when here either on excursions or with carers, ‘this is the best place ever’ ‘wow look at this’. It’s pretty special that we encourage touching and investigation of materials. What is this, what’s it made from, what could we use it for now, and what shall we do with it when we no longer need it? In general, new customers never look at you in the eye as they are always drawn by the colour, weirdness and movement. I take that as a compliment.

What role does education play?

We only use donated materials in our Sustainability Education Programs – we go to schools or they come to us, so students and educators are always responding to different materials, using their imaginations and learning craft and making skills. One of our most popular is Sustainable House where students of all ages are invited to create their ideal sustainable house from RG’s reuse resources. We cover every age group, from early learning to tertiary schools, plus we run school holiday programs and hands-on craft events for OOSH and Vacation Care.

Any longterm plans for the future?

I will keep on talking about reuse and slowing down consumption forever! At RG we have seen wonderful growth in our education programs and never has there been a more important time for education around sustainability and the role reuse has in the waste hierarchy. I would love to see a Reverse Garbage in other cities, and stay tuned for an education hub to be announced in 2025! In the last year we have focussed on systems change that, while not so exciting to talk about, has led to better communications and great growth in our online shop.

Are the items you accept always changing?

Public donations are pretty consistent, people want to do the right thing by not sending things to landfill, which is encouraging. Unfortunately we can’t take everything, we are capacity-driven so we do ask for photos and a description before we say yes or sorry we can’t. We always try and offer alternatives such as Circle Paints for house paint or Among the Trees for timber we don’t have space for. It pays to do some research before throwing anything out, it maybe a little inconvenient but has long term sustainable benefits.

Does everything sell?

We may take something thinking ‘this is going to be awesome, people are going to love this’ then it sits here for ages. But everything usually eventually finds their new home. A couple of phrases we often use are ‘I don’t know what it is but I got it at Reverse Garbage’ and ‘if RG doesn’t have it – you don’t need it’.

How can people show their support?

Besides donating materials you can come and volunteer with us. We love our vollies and try to find something that suits each person’s skill set. Some vollies come in for half a day a week or one full day per month, whatever suits your timetable. Become a member or if you can donate, all donations are tax deductible and much appreciated.

See reversegarbage.org.au