Reverse Garbage

Reverse Garbage Creative Reuse Centre in Sydney.
30 Carrington Road, Marrickville NSW Started by teachers in 1975, education is still a major focus to this day.
(871)

Reverse Garbage is a not-for-profit creative reuse centre based in Marrickville, in Sydney’s inner west. As an environmental charity, our mission is to make everyone experts in reuse by motivating, educating, and providing simple sustainable solutions. Each year we redirect around 250 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste from landfill to a new life with educators, artists, upcyclers, DIY enth

usiasts, tinkerers, set builders, window dressers, community organisations, festivals, charities, and more. We reach around 16,000 people each year with our 'choose to reuse' messaging via early learning, primary, secondary and tertiary education, community events and public workshops.

September 19th. Kintsugi is a century-old Japanese craft where broken ceramic objects are pieced back together using lac...
01/09/2026

September 19th. Kintsugi is a century-old Japanese craft where broken ceramic objects are pieced back together using lacquer and gold dust based on the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi finding beauty in imperfection.

The process transforms much loved, worn items into a beautifully crafted, new piece of art. It is a chance to live a more sustainable way and to rescue objects which would otherwise be discarded.

In this relaxed, zero-waste workshop, you will learn the introductory technique of “Art Kintsugi” mending by following seven essential steps using modern accessible materials and bring home a piece of your own Kintsugi art.

Kintsugi, “Golden ceramic restoration” is a century-old Japanese art of repairing broken /cracked pottery using lacquer as glue to put fragments together.
Kintsugi, “Golden ceramic restoration,” is a century-old Japanese art of repairing broken /cracked pottery using lacquer as glue to put fragments together. Find out more and book www.classbento.com.au/w/7a4y

In this open-ended design workshop, students work together to transform reclaimed materials into a new functional or art...
01/09/2026

In this open-ended design workshop, students work together to transform reclaimed materials into a new functional or artistic object using a design thinking process. Working directly in the Reverse Garbage warehouse, students analyse the properties and potential uses of discarded materials, select additional components to support their build, and refine their ideas through hands-on experimentation and problem-solving.

By the end of the workshop, students will have moved from an open-ended design challenge through to a finished object - developing both their scientific thinking and their hands-on making skills along the way, while building a deeper understanding of how reuse and redesign can reduce environmental impact.

Curriculum links (NSW Science Stage 5):

SC5-4WS — develops questions or hypotheses to be investigated scientifically, as students identify design challenges and possibilities
SC5-5WS — produces a plan to investigate identified questions, hypotheses or problems, through design planning and material selection
SC5-8WS — applies scientific understanding and critical thinking skills to suggest possible solutions to identified problems, as students iterate and justify their redesign solutions

A really unique collaboration this year was with Featherdale Wildlife Park. We had the opportunity to deliver workshops ...
01/09/2026

A really unique collaboration this year was with Featherdale Wildlife Park. We had the opportunity to deliver workshops across two days and adapt our Habitats and Homes program to make the most of the incredible learning environment around us at the wildlife park.

Participants were able to observe native animals and their habitats firsthand before taking that inspiration into their own creative reuse projects and the results were full of personality! A zip-pouch pelican with bottle-cap eyes and tea-bag feet struck a pose beside the real thing on the lake, while a little box-and-straw penguin waddled up to meet its live counterparts. Elsewhere, button-eyed critters with fabric ears and wooden bead legs channelled the park's bettongs and wombats, and a toilet-roll creature took shape on the grass, all held together with low-waste joins like rubber bands and paperclips instead of glue.

Younger participants created their own critters using reclaimed materials, while older participants explored the features of different habitats and built models to reflect what they had observed and learned.

The workshops encouraged participants to experiment with new materials and low-waste joining techniques, while making connections between human activity, the environment and the importance of protecting native species.

"I love how creative reuse can help people explore and understand the environment around them. These workshops gave participants the chance to observe native animals and their habitats, then use reclaimed materials to make sense of what they had seen and learned."
Yasmin Andrews, Education Programs Developer, Reverse Garbage

Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

Are you a thief? Cause we’ve got a steal on our hands with these Mirrored Acrylic Sheets! Brand new with protective film...
01/09/2026

Are you a thief? Cause we’ve got a steal on our hands with these Mirrored Acrylic Sheets! Brand new with protective film (half removed for photo). We have two sizes available; Large for $15 (64cmx1.22m) and Small for $8 (32cmx1.22m). You will, without question, love them. 💖

30/08/2026

Excited to announce we will be relocating to the Inner West Sustainability Hub, joining the wonderful tenants; Bower Reuse & Repair Centre Dress for Success NSW & ACT Inner West Green Living Centre re_place_inner_west

This exciting move has been many years in the making and being part of the sustainability Hub feels like such a natural fit. A place where sustainability and community is at the forefront of everything. All the wonderful community orgs are achieving every day.

We can’t wait to be part of this visionary hub- running our education programs along side other sustainability organisations, collaborating and advocating for reuse, making it so much easier for everyone to participate in the circular economy as part of a sustainable community.

Blue tubs are full of awesome bargains... false eyelashes, party decor, jewellery display boxes and so much more.
29/08/2026

Blue tubs are full of awesome bargains... false eyelashes, party decor, jewellery display boxes and so much more.

Mending and Repair Circle "Club Mend" is on this Monday at the Reverse Garbage Education Hub 10am - 12pm. Simply bring a...
28/08/2026

Mending and Repair Circle "Club Mend" is on this Monday at the Reverse Garbage Education Hub 10am - 12pm.
Simply bring along any clothing or fabric item/s you would like to repair or adapt or any textile project you’re working on.
Everyone is welcome, and we provide sewing machines and an overlocker for all to use, as well as an assortment of scrap fabrics and threads for carrying out basic repairs.
If you’re joining us, please remember to bring:
- A project to work on or a piece of mending
- your reusable coffee cup - RG will provide hot water, instant coffee, tea bags and milk
- a gold coin donation to help cover RG’s overheads (it’s free to attend otherwise)
The session is open to anyone 18 years and older. Look forward to seeing you!
Our address is 30 Carrington Road, Marrickville - looking forward to seeing you there.
Support Reverse Garbage to host community events that support the circular economy and consider making a financial donation. www.reversegarbage.org.au/donate-now-2/

Ever wondered what happens to old architecture and design samples? At Reverse Garbage, tile, timber, laminate and fabric...
28/08/2026

Ever wondered what happens to old architecture and design samples?

At Reverse Garbage, tile, timber, laminate and fabric swatches get a second life! These small but sturdy samples are perfect for

🎨 Mosaic art and collage
🏠 Mini model-making and architecture projects
🧩 Coasters, keyrings and jewellery
🖼️ Textured wall art and sculpture
🏫 Hands-on classroom learning about materials and design

Instead of ending up in landfill, these offcuts and samples become the building blocks of someone's next creative project.

Pop into Reverse Garbage to grab a bundle and see what you can make! ♻️

27/08/2026

To book or request an education information pack, contact our Education Team:
[email protected]
(02) 9569 3132
Let’s inspire the next generation of changemakers

27/08/2026

Refest is on Sat 5 Sep for a day of talks, workshops, food and markets as the community comes together to reimagine, repair, reuse and regenerate.

✨ We’ll be there running Fabulous Florals in the Kids Tent (10am-12pm) — come make your own native-inspired flowers with us using reuse materials!

📅 Sat 5 Sep 2026
🕙 10am - 3pm
📍 7 Prospect Road, Summer Hill
🎟️ Free entry

Address

30 Carrington Road
Sydney, NSW
2204

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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