In a world where consumerism often leads to clutter, finding sustainable ways to dispose and recycle unwanted items is becoming increasingly important. Especially when storage, or the lack of it, is often an issue in strata living. Fortunately, there are numerous services and initiatives available that make it easy to responsibly manage our possessions. From The Bower to Givit, let's explore a variety of options for decluttering while minimising environmental impact.
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The Bower -
Accepts: Whitegoods and Furniture etc
The Bower is a community-based environmental charity that specialises in collecting, refurbishing, and reselling unwanted items. From furniture and appliances to building materials and bicycles, The Bower accepts a wide range of donations. Their team of skilled artisans works to repair and refurbish items, giving them a new lease on life and keeping them out of landfills. They have physical stores in Marrickville (drop-off pre-loved items here) and Summer Hill, a workshop in Redfern and operate an online store as well as sells on eBay.
If you can't drop off your items, residents of the following councils are eligible for free collection: Bayside, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury Bankstown, City of Sydney, Cumberland, Georges River, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-Ring-Gai, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Parramatta, Randwick, Ryde, Strathfield, Waverley, Willoughby, Woollahra. Request pick up here.
Click here to see a list of the type of items The Bower accepts (e.g. whitegoods in good working condition, kitchenware, bikes) and do NOT accept (e.g. Baby and children's items, Gas appliances, mattresses).
Reverse Garbage -
Accepts: Textiles, off-cuts, moving boxes etc
Reverse Garbage is an environmental initiative that promotes creative reuse by collecting industrial offcuts, surplus materials, and unwanted items from businesses and individuals. These materials are then made available to the community for art, craft, and educational projects. By diverting these items from landfills, Reverse Garbage helps reduce waste and inspires creativity.
For household donations, items can be dropped off at Reverse Garbage's warehouse in Marrickville but make sure you call ahead on 02 9569 3132, email or fill in the online form to make sure they can accept the donation (given limited warehouse space).
All donated products and materials must be clean, safe and suitable for reuse. Items accepted include fabric and textiles, moving boxes, magazines. Some items Reverse Garbage can't accept include chemicals, clothes, e-waste.
Soft Landing
Accepts: Mattresses
Soft Landing is a mattress recycling program that collects and recycles old mattresses and bed bases. Instead of sending your old mattress to landfill, you can arrange for Soft Landing to pick it up and recycle it into new materials. This not only reduces waste but also supports job creation and social enterprise in the recycling industry. A fixed collection fee ranging from $68 - $90 per mattress is calculated based on your location or you can drop off at Smithfield. On top of recycling mattresses, Soft Landing creates meaningful jobs for people experiencing barriers to employment where 65% of revenue goes to wages.
TechCollect
Accepts: Computers and televisions
TechCollect is a nationwide e-waste recycling program that accepts a wide range of electronic waste, including computers, laptops, printers, and televisions. By dropping off your e-waste at a TechCollect collection point, you can ensure that it's recycled responsibly and processed in accordance with environmental regulations. Plus, TechCollect offers free recycling for households and small businesses, making it easy to dispose of your old electronics in an eco-friendly way.
Operating under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS), TechCollect will accept all computers and cables, tablets, notebooks, monitors printers, computer accessories and televisions.
The Recycling Journey: Mobile Muster
Mobile Muster
Accepts: Mobile phones
Mobile Muster is a mobile phone recycling program that collects and recycles old mobile phones, batteries, and accessories. By participating in Mobile Muster, you can ensure that your old phones are recycled responsibly and kept out of landfills. Plus, Mobile Muster provides free postage for sending in your old devices, making it easy to do your part for the environment.
B-cycle Battery Recycling
Accepts: Rechargeable, regular, button batteries
B-cycle Battery Recycling is an innovative initiative aimed at addressing the growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste) by providing convenient and environmentally friendly solutions for battery disposal and recycling. Through their platform, individuals can easily locate designated drop-off points or collection centres where they can safely dispose of their used batteries. B-cycle Battery Recycling ensures that these batteries are properly processed and recycled, preventing harmful chemicals and metals from leaching into the environment.
Note: that B-cycle is not able to accept mobile phone batteries (use Mobile Muster) or laptop/TV batteries (use TechCollect)
FreeCycle
Accepts: Furniture, clothing and household goods
FreeCycle is a free platform that connects people who want to give away items with those who are looking for them. Whether it's furniture, clothing, electronics, or household goods, FreeCycle provides a simple and convenient way to find new homes for unwanted items. By giving things away for free, you're not only decluttering your space but also reducing waste and promoting reuse.
Givit
Accepts: Varied
Givit is an online platform that connects donors with charities and community organisations in need of specific items. Whether it's clothing for families in crisis, furniture for bushfire-affected communities, or school supplies for disadvantaged children, Givit allows donors to see exactly where their donations are going and who they're helping. By matching supply with demand, Givit ensures that donations are used where they're needed most. You can choose to drop off, post/courier or organise a collection. Apart from donating items, you can also volunteer your time and skills
Sydney strata owners are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding sustainable ways to dispose and recycle unwanted items. From furniture to electronics, there are numerous options available for those looking to declutter responsibly. By choosing these sustainable alternatives, you can declutter your space, reduce waste, and make a positive impact on the environment and your community. So, the next time you're cleaning out your closet or clearing out the storage cage, consider giving these services a try. Your unwanted items might just find a new home and a new purpose! And if you're tired of dealing with an unresponsive or non-transparent strata manager, it's time to upgrade to Compass Strata. Let us take care of your strata management needs with efficiency and transparency.
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