How the Repurpose Bin works

1. Supply
The Better Living Foundation provides a clearly marked repurpose bin at participating locations.

2. Sort
Store or site teams place suitable reusable materials into the bin instead of sending them to general waste.

3. Collect
When the bin is full, the participating organisation contacts us. We arrange collection and replace the bin where applicable.

4. Repurpose
Recovered materials are assessed and directed to the most suitable outcome, including home modifications, repairs, community projects or upcycled products.

From surplus to social impact

Recovered materials may help support:

• Essential home repairs

• Accessibility modifications

• Safety improvements for older people and vulnerable households

• Community projects

• Upcycled products such as bird boxes, garden items and community seating

• Better Living Foundation activities and charitable operations

Every item recovered is an opportunity to reduce waste and create something useful.

What may go into a Repurpose Bin?

Suitable materials may include:

• Timber and clean timber offcuts

• Hardware, screws, brackets and fittings

• Doors, handles and frames

• Tiles and flooring materials

• Fixtures and fittings

• Landscaping and garden materials

• Windows, flyscreens and security fixtures

• Suitable building supplies

• Discontinued, surplus or end-of-line stock

All materials must be clean, safe and suitable for reuse. Acceptance depends on the condition of the materials, available storage, transport requirements and current project needs.

Our Repurpose Bin Pilot

The Better Living Foundation is developing the Repurpose Bin initiative with participating businesses and community partners. The pilot will help us understand which materials can be recovered most effectively, how they can be safely managed and where they can create the greatest benefit.

As the initiative grows, this page will be updated with photographs, participating locations, recovered materials, project outcomes and stories from the community.

Want to become a Repurpose Bin partner?

We are looking for businesses, suppliers, retailers, builders and community organisations that want to help keep usable materials in circulation.

You can support the initiative by:

• Hosting a Repurpose Bin

• Donating suitable surplus materials

• Providing transport or storage

• Supporting collection and sorting

• Sponsoring the expansion of the program

Together, we can turn surplus materials into safer homes, practical community solutions and better lives.