rekindle - Tip shop reopening

Posted on May 13, 2026

25 March 2026
Rekindle Tip Shop Soft Opens on 25 March, Turning Reuse into Community Benefit
A new chapter in community-led reuse and waste reduction will begin with the soft opening of the Rekindle Tip Shop on Wednesday, 25 March, at the Longford Waste Transfer Station, 291 Marlborough Street Longford. All are welcome to attend and support this new local initiative.
Rekindle is a not-for-profit, incorporated organisation with an ABN, formed specifically to operate the Tip Shop and ensure reusable items are kept out of landfill and redirected back into the community for good.
Before opening the Tip Shop, Rekindle volunteers were already making a difference by collecting unsold items from local garage sales, rescuing quality goods that would otherwise have been discarded and finding new homes for them through reuse.
Mayor Mary Knowles OAM said the initiative reflects the strength of practical, community-driven solutions. “Rekindle is about being responsive to the emerging needs of our community,” Mayor Knowles said. “It reduces waste going into landfill, supports reuse, and ensures funds raised are direct to benefit individuals and the community in the Northern Midlands.”
The Tip Shop is run entirely by volunteers, with all proceeds reinvested into the local community. Donations of clean, safe and reusable items are now welcome.
Following the soft opening on Wednesday 25 March, the Rekindle Tip Shop will operate at this stage:
• Wednesdays: 9.00am – 4.00pm
• Saturdays and Sundays: 9.00am – 4.00pm
291 Marlborough Street Longford
Opening hours are expected to expand as more volunteers come on board.
Rekindle is actively seeking additional volunteers to help grow the initiative. Volunteering involves:
• a simple online volunteer induction through Council
• a short onsite induction
• and ideally holding a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration
No prior retail or waste experience is required — just a willingness to help and be part of a community-focused team.
A Rekindle spokesperson said volunteers are central to the vision.
“This is a community-led project built on people giving their time and skills,” they said. “With more volunteers, we can open more often, divert more items from landfill, and return even greater benefits to the community.”
Rekindle’s longer-term vision includes developing a community space at the Tip Shop to host workshops and skill-sharing activities, supporting practical learning around reuse, repair and sustainability.
One immediate opportunity is in bicycle repair. Rekindle currently has around 10 donated pushbikes and is seeking someone with bike repair skills who may be interested in fixing them up and possibly teaching others how to maintain and repair their own bicycles.
“This is about sharing knowledge, building confidence and helping people look after what they already have,” the Rekindle spokesperson said.
Northern Midlands Council has welcomed Rekindle as a positive addition to local waste reduction efforts and a practical example of circular economy principles in action.
Community members interested in attending the soft opening, donating items, volunteering, or getting involved are encouraged to visit the Rekindle Tip Shop during opening hours and speak with the team.
For further information, please contact:
Council on 03 6397 7303