News

Reuse shop revives old items, supports circular economy

By Billie Davern

Mar 27, 2026

Resource Recovery Australia general manager Matthew Curtis and deputy general manager Ally Glendenning, and Mitchell Shire Councillors Ned Jeffery, Mayor John Dougall, Andrea Pace and Claudia James open the Seymour Reviva Reuse Shop. Photo by Billie Davern

Old, beloved items are resurrected at the newly opened Reviva Reuse Shop, where sustainability meets economic progress.

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The Seymour shop is the result of a partnership between Mitchell Shire Council and not-for-profit social enterprise Resource Recovery Australia.

On Friday, March 27, it was officially opened, with Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall cutting the ribbon to mark the beginning of the “important” venture.

“Reuse shops are one practical way we can support our community to be part of a local circular economy,” he said.

“Every item that’s sold in a reuse shop is one less item going to landfill and one less new product being made.

“Projects like this also support our broader sustainability goals — reducing waste sent to landfill helps cut emissions and, importantly, makes better use of scarce resources.”

The model works by inviting donations of, almost, anything — from homewares and fashion to building materials and white goods — and reselling them to in-store shoppers.

It also employs local people who might otherwise struggle to find job opportunities.

“This model creates local jobs, including opportunities for people who face barriers to employment, while also providing affordable second-hand goods for the community,” Cr Dougall said.

Resource Recovery Australia deputy general manager Ally Glenndenning said the organisation also provided opportunities for career progression, with training of employees being a priority.

“Our main focus at Resource Recovery Australia is keeping waste out of landfill, and also employing people with barriers to employment to give them a great chance and a new start,” she said.

“Those barriers come in all shapes and sizes.

“What we do is provide a safe environment for those people to start their employment, continue employment and then to move on to bigger and better things.”

The reuse shop is now open Thursday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm, at the Seymour Resource Recovery Centre at 470 Seymour-Tooborac Rd.

Council has also opened a reuse shop at the Wallan Resource Recovery Centre.

“If you have furniture, household goods, tools or other items in good condition that you no longer need, donating them to the reuse shop is a simple way to support the environment and help other members of the community,” Cr Dougall said.

For information about making donations, visit resourcerecovery.org.au/services/reuse-shops/making-donations