'More than just the building': Reverse Garbage opens their doors at new South Marrickville location

"We're still in Marrickville but we've come to the creative heartland, that last little pocket of industrial-ness that Reverse Garbage is known for," said the not-for-profit's CEO, Kirsten Junor.

"We've worked so hard for so long to find a space and this came up at almost the eleventh hour."

With their lease ending at the Addison Road Community Centre, the much-loved organisation had to find new premises, and staff and volunteers spent the past two months organising and transporting the vast collection of materials from one side of Marrickville to the other.

It was an "emotional and physical challenge" for everyone, Ms Junor said, but last week doors opened on their fit-for-purpose warehouse space at 30 Carrington Road. Shelves are stocked with everything from fabric to feather boas to plaster casts of teeth, and regular customers are already finding their way back.

"Our first customers were a mother and daughter who have been regular visitors for us every week over the past six or so years. It's been so nice to see so many familiar faces," Ms Junor said.

In 1975, a group of teachers and community workers who wanted to divert usable industrial discards from landfill into their classrooms started Reverse Garbage.

Now, in an average year, it receives more than 250 tonnes in donated materials from residents and businesses which would otherwise be thrown out, and all sorts of people roam the aisles looking for the perfect piece for whatever their project may be.

"Education is the core of what we do. It's that message of, what was this, what can we use it for and what are we going to do with it when we've finished using it, extending the life of an item," said Ms Junor.

"Reverse garbage is more than just the building, it's about the people and what we do and people have followed us, wanting to still be part of that community.

"We're not fully open yet, we're going to build two education rooms, and a garden. Having the courtyard space will allow us to hold more events, like a Makers Market in April."

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