City of Darwin is celebrating six months of success at the Reviva Reuse Shop, the not-for-profit social enterprise operated by Resource Recovery Australia (RRA) at the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. As part of Council’s ambitious Waste Resource and Recovery Strategy, Reviva is playing a vital role in the City’s goal to divert up to 50% of waste from landfill, and the early results are already impressive.

Reviva was established to give a second life to quality household goods while creating employment opportunities and engaging the community in a more sustainable, circular economy. Since opening on 10 February 2025, the shop has welcomed over 15,000 customers, processed more than 11,700 sales and diverted over 159 tonnes of material from landfill.

“We’re incredibly proud of what the Reviva Reuse Shop has achieved in such a short time” said City of Darwin CEO Simone Saunders.

“We encourage the community to continue supporting the shop and their staff. Every purchase or donation directly contributes to local jobs, sustainability and ultimately social good.”

Other key achievements in the first six months include:

• 33,500+ items sold, reducing waste and promoting reuse
• Diversion of significant materials from landfill including:
  
  • 11.3 tonnes of scrap metal.
  • 2.1 tonnes of e-waste.
  • 2 tonnes of whitegoods.
  • 761kg collected through the Cash for Containers program.
• 773kg of clothing, books and toys donated to local charities such as Mission Australia, Darwin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Shelter, and several local vet clinics.
• Creation of eight local jobs, primarily for people previously facing barriers to employment, supported through RRA’s proven #Waste2Wages model.
• Engagement with 12 school groups and community volunteers, including participants from the Army Indigenous Development Program.

The Reviva Reuse Shop’s refreshed, welcoming layout has also helped shift community perceptions of second-hand goods. Many customers have praised the store for its curated displays and quality items, helping redefine what reuse can look like.

Looking ahead, the Reviva team is exploring new opportunities to grow its impact. Plans include expanding community reuse workshops, introducing new recycling streams like mattresses and polystyrene and collaborating with local creatives and businesses to support recycling.

Reviva is not just a shop, it’s a community-powered movement for change. Through collaboration with City of Darwin and the support of residents, Reviva is making sustainability accessible and inspiring.