Sydney-based global leader in reuse and sustainability, Reverse Garbage, is facilitating a national youth competition, Reconsidered, as the non-profit organisation continues to lead the way in rethinking and reusing discarded materials.
“We all know there’s a serious waste crisis in Australia, with the solutions to waste reduction in creative innovation and a conscious approach to consumption,” explains Kirsten Junor, CEO Reverse Garbage.
“Many young people are aware of the ramifications of overconsumption, having grown up in the era of climate change and environmental education, so we’re hoping to really tap into this awareness and continue to encourage young people to embrace the environmental, social and economic benefits of a circular economy.”
Reconsidered invites individual or group entries from high school and tertiary students across Australia to develop a functional or creative product. Entries must be made from discarded materials they find around their home, school or community. Registration information is available on the website.
“We really want to use this platform and competition to spotlight all the things that we all mindlessly throw out and reconsider how we repurpose what is perceived as ’waste’ as a potential resource to ultimately reverse the garbage.”
Reverse Garbage’s Education Programs are all centred on spotlighting these principles to the younger generations, starting with pre-schoolers.
“Whether it’s functional or artistic, often there are endless possibilities with waste materials in a creative play capacity, where waste can be reimagined, repurposed, and recreated into something new,” explains Brett Lyon who leads Reverse Garbage’s Education Programs.
The competition is being sponsored by green-focused, customer-owned, Gateway Bank, who will provide cash prizes including $1000 for first prize and $500 for runners up in three categories.
Lexi Airey, CEO at Gateway Bank commented, “At Gateway we are always looking at ways to help our members save money and reduce their impact on the planet by using resources as least wastefully as possible. We’re delighted to support Reverse Garbage’s Reconsidered competition for a second year and help encourage innovation and creativity around the use of discarded materials.”
As Australia’s largest creative reuse centre, Reverse Garbage, also recently launched an online shop to cater for and allow customers from across the country to access reuse materials.
About Reverse Garbage
Since its inception close to half a century ago, Reverse Garbage has become a global leader in sustainability and reuse. With its roots firmly planted in education, the co-operative was formed by teachers from Sydney’s Inner West, determined to ease pressure on the environment. Today, Reverse Garbage diverts tonnes of materials every year that would otherwise end up in landfill. Materials are then used by designers, educators, artists, decorators, event planners, home renovators and students who transform waste into wonder.
About Gateway Bank
Gateway Bank is one of Australia’s leading customer owned banks serving over 30,000 members with
a range of award-winning retail banking products and services. Gateway is committed to doing the
right thing for our members’ pockets and their planet, and drive our commitment through a range of
initiatives that underpin this purpose. We have been certified as a carbon neutral organisation by
Climate Active, and have published our Ethical Investment and Ethical Lending policies which state
which sectors we will invest in and lend to, and importantly, which sectors we won’t support.