Social Enterprises Driving the Circular Economy
The circular economy is gaining momentum as businesses and consumers increasingly recognise the importance of sustainability. At the forefront of this movement are social enterprises, innovative organisations that blend commercial strategies with a commitment to social and environmental impact. These enterprises are not only creating valuable goods and services but also fostering a more sustainable and equitable future.
Image Credit: Revolve Recycling
Here are some inspiring social enterprises that are making a significant difference in the circular economy:
Among The Trees
Among The Trees is an social enterprise that provides sustainable timber and woodworking resources.
Location: St Peters, NSW
Website: amongthetrees.com.au
Banish
Through the BRAD program, Banish collects hard-to-recycle items and transforms them into functional, innovative products, making waste reduction accessible and impactful.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: banish.com.au
Betizen
Betizen offers returnable packaging as a service to events, platforms & organisations aiming to reduce single-use waste.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: betizen.me
CandleXchange
CandleXchange offers a sustainable solution for candle lovers with a return and swap program that gives you 30% off your next candle..
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: candlexchange.com.au
Cercle
Cercle is a reusable coffee cup and food container network for venues, workplaces and events. They employ people with barriers to employment in their operations.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: cercle.com.au
Circle Paints
Circle Paints diverts surplus Dulux paint from landfill and sells it at half price.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: www.circlepaints.org.au
Community Resources
Community Resources provides employment and training opportunities for people facing barriers to employment, with a focus on environmental services.
Location: Wollongong, NSW
Website: www.communityresources.org.au
Endless Play Studio
Endless Play Studio creates sustainable and educational toys from recycled materials.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: www.endlessplaystudio.com
Etiko
Etiko Merch helps organisations, big and small, align their branded merchandise with their sustainability and social justice values.
Location: Australia wide
Website: www.etikomerch.com.au
Florapeutic
Florapeutic rescues fresh flowers after events and prolongs their consumable timeframe by gifting them to local communities (e.g. aged care homes), and turning them into floral keepsakes.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: www.florapeutic.com.au
Forward Thinking Design
Forward Thinking Design is a certified social enterprise delivering built-environment strategy, circular economy consulting, and socially responsible design services to help organisations reduce waste, lower environmental impact, and create positive community outcomes.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: forwardthinkingdesign.com.au
Goodies Junction
A reusable facility that accepts and sells secondhand goods and also provides a community space for those wishing to hold circular economy focused events
Location: Mitchell & Symonston, ACT
Website: www.goodiesjunction.org.au
Joy of Giving
Joy of Giving is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to reducing waste and spreading joy by giving preloved toys a second life. We rescue quality toys from landfill, carefully restore them, and redistribute them to children and families—particularly those in need.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: www.joyofgiving.net
Nowra Community Food Store
The Nowra Community Food Store provides affordable groceries and household items to the community, reducing food waste and supporting those in need.
Location: Nowra, NSW
Website: www.nowrafoodstore.com.au
Ozharvest Ventures
Ozharvest Ventures supports innovative solutions to food waste and food insecurity.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: www.ozharvest.ventures
Project Net Zero
Project Net Zero provides professional, nationwide de-fit, removal, audit and refurbishing services that prioritise reuse, rehoming, and donation of FF&E.
Location: Australia-wide
Website: www.projectnetzero.com.au
ReLove
ReLove collects, restores, and re-homes quality pre-loved furniture and household items to those in need.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: www.relove.org.au
ReNewy Living
ReNewy Living offers sustainable and eco-friendly products for a healthier home and lifestyle.
Location: Newcastle, NSW
Website: www.renewyliving.com.au
Reverse Garbage Co-operative
Reverse Garbage diverts industrial and commercial waste from landfill and makes it available for creative reuse.
Location: Marrickville, NSW
Website: www.reversegarbage.org.au
Revolve Recycling
Revolve Recycling divert bicycles from landfill and give them a new life. They also assist bike shops with their waste management and give away kids bikes to kids who have no access to them.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: revolverecycling.net
St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra Goulburn
The St Vincent de Paul Society provides assistance to people in need, including through their Vinnies retail stores which promote reuse and recycling.
Location: Canberra, ACT & Goulburn, NSW
Website: www.vinnies.org.au/nsw/canberra-goulburn
Superyard
Superyard is an online marketplace that helps Australian construction businesses easily buy, sell, and manage unused building materials.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: www.superyard.com.au
The Full Circle Collective
The Full Circle Collective is a community-driven initiative promoting sustainable living and circular economy principles.
Location: Newcastle, NSW
Website: www.thefullcirclecollective.com.au
The Reconnect Project
The Reconnect Project refurbishes unwanted mobile phones and laptops, providing them to people in need.
Location: Penhurst, NSW
Website: thereconnectproject.com.au
The Social Outfit
The Social Outfit is a fashion label providing training and employment in the fashion industry to people from refugee and new migrant communities.
Location: Newtown, NSW
Website: www.thesocialoutfit.org
Underwear for Humanity
Underwear for Humanity creates ethical and sustainable underwear from organic and recycled materials.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: www.underwearforhumanity.com.au
Women's Shed Canberra (WSC)
The Women's Shed Canberra provides a safe and inclusive space for women to learn practical skills, including repairing and repurposing items.
Location: Canberra, ACT
Website: www.womensshedcanberra.com.au
Worldview Foundation/WV Technologies
Worldview Foundation supports and employs at-risk Indigenous youth to recycle e-waste including mobile phones, laptops, tablets and computers.
Location: Canberra, ACT
Website: www.worldview.org.au
WSCO Industries
Wise Recycling Co (WSCO) is an Australia wide recycling collection and drop off initiative that brings local communities and businesses together to keep hard to recycle waste out of landfill.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: wiserecyclingco.com
