Making the old new: upcycling on the rise at Council’s Tip Shop

Now is the perfect time to consider a waste-free spring clean by donating to Council’s Tip Shop, also known as the Reduce Re-use Recycle shop.

There is no doubt a spring clean is great for our homes and wellbeing, but Supervisor of Solid Waste Tammie Cook urges residents to make sure it’s a planet-friendly one too, by giving your pre-loved items the chance of a new life by donating them to the Tip Shop’

“It’s amazing what we find in landfill that can be reused or upcycled,” Ms Cook said.

“Gregadoo Waste Management Centre staff spend a lot of time ‘picking’ through general rubbish and skip bins to save discarded items.

“We come across bikes, household goods, electronics and computers in good working order, an abundance of expensive camping equipment, even slabs of new tiles that could be used to tile an entire back yard patio.”

“We come across bikes, household goods, electronics and computers in good working order, an abundance of expensive camping equipment, even slabs of new tiles that could be used to tile an entire back yard patio.”

Council’s Tip Shop staff are pleased to see positive trends such as upcycling, supporting a circular economy which reduces landfill and gives goods a second life.

“Community members are sourcing items from the Tip Shop and building businesses and charities around upcycling,” Ms Cook said.

“One customer comes each weekend to source well-conditioned bikes, does them up, then gifts them to disadvantaged kids come Christmas time.”

Shop profits are reinvested back into the Tip Shop, as well as the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre to support education campaigns and expand areas of the center including the transfer station.

“We are looking to expand the Tip Shop by building an undercover space to house and protect donated furniture from the elements.

“We encourage the community to reduce your tip fees by thinking before you ditch and donating items in good working condition to the Tip Shop.”

The Tip Shop is open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 8am – 4pm.

EFTPOS facility available.

People with items to drop off can do so during operating hours and are advised to park their car and let a staff member know. Staff will check items and then advise where to drop them off.