How to reduce your waste
Give your unwanted items a second life. Protect the environment and support your community by repairing, reusing, rehoming, swapping, or selling quality items.
Find on this page:
Repair and reuse
Fixing or repurposing an item often uses fewer resources than replacing it, and it’s a fantastic way to learn new skills. Get involved in local groups or explore online tutorials to find inspiration:
- Repair Cafe - Collaborate with others to fix household items.
- Community Groups - Men's Sheds and Women's Sheds are excellent places to connect and create.
- Visible Mending Movement - Turn repairs into an art form.
- City of Wanneroo Skills Workshops - Join sessions to learn practical repair skills.
- Online Resources - Platforms like Pinterest and YouTube are filled with creative DIY ideas.
Rehome or donate
Donating your quality items not only gives them a new life but also helps support individuals and organisations in need. Below are some charities and specialist programs where your items can make a difference.
General charities
Specialist programs
Support specific causes by donating items to these tailored programs:
- Fair Game - Provides pre-loved sports equipment to communities in need.
- Give Write - Collects and redistributes stationery and school supplies for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Hello Initiative - Rehomes mobile phones to help vulnerable individuals stay connected.
- ReMida - Accepts craft materials to support creative reuse and education.
- ShareWaste - Connects people to share food scraps for composting and waste recovery.
- Grow Free - Share and swap homegrown produce, seeds, and plants within your community.
- Urban Pantry - A community-driven initiative for exchanging excess food and ingredients.
Swap or gift
Swapping or gifting items is a great way to pass on goods you no longer need while discovering something you love.
- Buy Nothing Groups - Found on Facebook, these groups encourage gifting and swapping within your local community.
- Street Libraries - Share and borrow books through mini libraries in your neighbourhood.
- ShareWaste - Connects people to share food scraps for composting and waste recovery.
Sell
Earn some extra cash by selling quality items online or in person.
Online marketplaces
These platforms provide great options for selling items online: Gumtree, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Rosella Street, and GarageSaleIT.
Important note: When buying or selling online, it’s important to stay safe. To find out how to shop securely online visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre website.
In-person
Host a garage sale to connect with your neighbours and rehome your items face-to-face.