Circular Economy Social Enterprise
Leading the way in reuse, repair and recycling
In the journey towards a sustainable future, several social enterprises in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are making significant strides. These organisations are not only promoting the principles of a circular economy but also creating positive social impacts by providing employment opportunities and supporting local communities.
Banish runs the Banish Recycling and Disposal Program (BRAD), which offers an end-to-end solution for recycling hard-to-recycle household items. They also operate the Banish Sustainability Hub in Sydney, where people can drop off their recyclables and learn more about sustainable living.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Boxhead Plastics focuses on recycling automotive plastic waste, particularly car bumper bars, into new products like golf tees and coasters. This initiative helps divert significant amounts of plastic from landfills and supports local manufacturing.
Location: Berowra, NSW
Cercle provides office buildings and nearby cafes with a simple circular economy solution: Offering takeaway customers free reusable cups to enjoy their coffee in that can then be returned to Drop Pods in their workspace.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Circle Paints collects surplus paint from trade painters and resells it at discounted prices. This initiative not only prevents paint from ending up in landfills but also provides affordable paint options for the community.
Location: St Peters, NSW
Green Connect employs young people and former refugees in jobs that help the planet and the community. They run a permaculture farm and provide zero-waste services at events, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.
Location: Wollongong, NSW
Joy of Giving rehomes pre-loved children’s toys and books. They hold toy swap events and accept donations, ensuring that toys are reused and enjoyed by new families, reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption.
Location: Artarmon, NSW
Mates on the Move provides employment and training for people leaving prison through waste management and recycling services. This initiative helps reduce recidivism and supports sustainable waste practices.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Florapeutic repurposes flowers from events into new floral arrangements and gifts for the community. This initiative reduces flower waste and spreads joy by donating repurposed flowers to those in need.
Location: Sydney, NSW
OzHarvest rescues surplus food and redistributes it to charities, reducing food waste and providing meals to those in need. They also run educational programs on food sustainability.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Project Net Zero works with businesses and communities to achieve net-zero waste through innovative recycling and waste reduction strategies, including rehoming excess office furniture to charities and social enterprises.
Location: Sydney, NSW
The Purple Card Project engages the community in various environmental initiatives, including op shop trails, repair cafes, and recycling projects. They aim to promote sustainable living and reduce waste through community involvement.
Location: Newcastle, NSW
The Nowra Community Food Store provides affordable groceries and household items to the community, reducing food waste and supporting those in need.
Location: Nowra, NSW
Reverse Garbage diverts industrial discards from landfill and makes them available for creative reuse. They offer a wide range of materials for art, craft, and DIY projects, supporting environmental sustainability and creative expression.
Location: Marrickville, NSW
ReLove collects and redistributes pre-loved furniture and household items to those in need. This initiative helps reduce waste and supports vulnerable communities by providing essential items.
Location: Sydney, NSW
ReNewy Living promotes sustainable living through workshops, events, and community projects. They focus on reducing waste and encouraging the reuse and repair of household items.
Location: Newcastle, NSW
Resource Recovery Australia operates reuse shops, recycling centres, and provides waste management services. They focus on keeping waste out of landfills and creating jobs for people experiencing barriers to employment.
Location: Various, NSW & ACT
Revolve Recycling focuses on recycling bicycles and other personal transport vehicles. They repair and refurbish bikes, providing affordable transportation options and reducing waste.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Shed Eleven is a community space that offers workshops and resources for repairing and upcycling household items. They promote a culture of repair and reuse, reducing waste and fostering community engagement.
Location: Canberra, ACT
The St Vincent de Paul Society runs op shops and recycling programs, providing affordable goods and supporting those in need. They also offer repair services and promote sustainable consumption.
Location: Various, NSW & ACT
The Reconnect Project refurbishes donated mobile phones, tablets, and computers, providing them to people in need. This initiative reduces electronic waste and supports digital inclusion.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Underwear for Humanity produces sustainable underwear and donates a portion of their products to those in need. They focus on ethical production and reducing textile waste.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Utilitarian is a circular economy platform that brings government, brands, consumers and all participants of the circular economy together - engaging and motivating through digital marketing, via a free mobile app.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Women’s Shed Canberra provides a space for women to learn and practice repair and upcycling skills. They offer workshops and resources to promote sustainable living and community engagement.
Location: Canberra, ACT
Worldview Foundation supports and employs at-risk Indigenous youth to recycle e-waste including mobile phones, laptops, tablets and computers.
Location: Canberra, ACT
