A smarter way with stuff

By Marcelle Renkin

Every year the Anglesea Resale Shed diverts 144 tonnes of goods from landfill to re-use. It was first set up by Anglesea resident, Jim Tutt, with support from the Anglesea Men’s Shed responding to the need to ‘Reduce, Recycle, Reuse’ and it opened at the local Landfill and Transfer Station in 2013 as a partnership between Anglesea Community House, local community groups and the Surf Coast Shire Council.

The Resale Shed or as it is affectionately known, The Tip Shop, has been very successful at diverting unwanted household items in good condition from landfill for reuse. It is managed by a volunteer committee of the Anglesea Community House supported by the local Surf Coast Shire council.

There are currently 18 local community groups that are volunteers at the Tip Shop. This includes Disability Support Services groups that offer the opportunity for their clients to gain life skills and build confidence working in the shop. Profits from the shop are distributed back to these local community groups.

We find that when community groups are new to volunteering in the shop they learn a lot about what non-organic materials can be reused, repurposed and recycled. The Tip Shop plays an important role in demonstrating the benefits of the circular economy. It creates an accessible way to participate in climate action by raising awareness of how we consume and discard of non-organic material.

To date the Resale Shed has raised $185,000 for Community groups from the Surf Coast Shire and we estimate that approximately 1040 cubic metres or 144 tonnes of non-organic material is currently being diverted from landfill for re-purpose each year.

Goods that are diverted from landfill are:

• 40% Furniture - beds, couches, dressers, tables, chairs, wood heaters, etc.
• 10% Appliances - fridges, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.
• 10% Miscellaneous - bikes, toys, picture frames, canoes, car trailers, surf boards, etc.
• 10% Building materials - window frames, tiles, flooring, timber, roofing, doors, etc.
• 10% Unusual items - jet ski hulls, boat hulls, aircraft luggage containers, spa tubs
• 20% Bric a Brac

The Tip Shop has become a much loved and well utilized community asset, where people take pride in donating items for community reuse /upcycling and purchasing pre-loved items at an affordable price. People travel from across the Shire to use the facility with enthusiasm to grab a bargain and as a way they can participate in climate action.