Here are some of the region’s professionals helping to take a stance on a disposable society.

In this feature CityNews talks to local businesses helping to recycle, upcycle, reuse and rehome – from secondhand furniture to scrap metal.

A new spin on old office furniture

Stopping the extreme amounts of furniture that goes to landfill, co-owner of Ex-Government Furniture, James Fullerton has been battling overconsumption of furniture in workplaces for more than a decade.

“We repurpose, reuse, recycle and rehome furniture,” says James.

“We live in a disposable society, but we’re trying to battle the stigma of owning second-hand furniture.”

James, and co-owner Taylor Radnell, say they go the “extra mile” with their service, by cleaning and servicing all of their furniture to the stage of looking new. 

“When you come to us, you can’t tell the difference between new and second-hand,” he says. 

In business for more than 20 years, James and Taylor are eager to promote a sustainable choice for office furniture. 

“It costs to dump things,” says James. 

“Why wouldn’t you save the environment and a bit of money?

“We’re here to turn a negative into a positive.”

James says the best part about working in this industry is seeing the great history, architecture and design of the pieces they deal with. 

“We have items here from the 1890s up until present, with many pieces available to the public just years after they’ve been designed,” he says. 

“We really do have something for everyone and cater to all budgets, all ages and all aesthetics.”

With a high turnover, James says there’s always something new coming into the store. 

Ex-Government Furniture, 6 Yallourn Street. Call 6280 6490 or visit exgovfurniture.com or facebook.com/exgovfurniture

Skip bin hire perfect for helping with cleaning out the garage or the home

With more than 40 years’ experience in skip bin hire for waste removal in Canberra, Corkhill Bros services both residential and commercial customers says co-founder Brian Corkhill.

“They’re perfect for helping with cleaning out the garage or the home, old furniture, appliances, home renovation, building waste, garden works, and you can put green waste in them, which we recycle,” says Brian.

“Customers can hire the skip bins online and we’ll drop it off and pick it up making it an easy process.”

It’s just another addition to Corkhill Bros’ extensive landscaping services, which Brian says include a range of products such as mulches, soils, sands, gravels and firewood.

“Our staff are always welcoming and happy to talk customers through our extensive product ranges, and offer a large variety of truck sizes to help with each project,” says Brian.

“We extract and process all of the soil mixes within our range [and] we get these soil mixes tested bi-annually to ensure our customers only receive the highest standard of products.”

Corkhill Bros also continues to host the green waste drop-off facility at the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, as well as receiving all the green waste collected in the Canberra kerbside green bins.

Corkhill Bros, 33 Darling Street, Mitchell (6241 8860), and Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, Symonston (6239 7200). Call or visit corkhillbros.com.au

Metal shop that can do the lot

Metalmart is a one-stop metal shop, says owner Belinda Reynolds, who, backed with experience in the construction industry, took over the business in 2019.

MetalMart is a steel and scrap icon and has been successfully trading for more than 30 years in steel retail sales and scrap metal recycling. 

“We are popular with a diverse range of steel users including farmers, steel fabricators, artists and the backyard handyman,” says Belinda.

“Whether it’s for domestic, rural or commercial applications, MetalMart has the products you need and if we don’t have what you are after we will do our best to track it down for you through our extensive range of suppliers.”

Belinda says MetalMart stocks an extensive range of brass and stainless steel products with a wide range of flat sheets
in hot rolled, aluminium, zinc, steel plate perforated and stainless steel.

“Customers can come in with any idea and MetalMart can make it, too,” she says. 

With Christmas coming up, Belinda says it’s the perfect time to look at cleaning up the yard. 

“Don’t forget to clean up any scrapmetal around your yard for Christmas and we will pay cash for it!” 

MetalMart, 53 Collie Street, Fyshwick. Call 6239 2422 or visit metalmart.com.au

Surfshop promotes connection with nature

Natural Necessity surf shop owner, Kent Ladkin says the name is very purposeful. 

“We’re called that for a good reason.”

Using natural fibres, water-based ink and now in the trial stage of creating a neoprene-free wetsuit for surfing, Kent says being environmentally conscious has always been the most important factor in the business. 

“It’s in our ethics,” says Kent. 

“It’s all part of the big picture and it’s who we are.”

Successfully running the business for 48 years, Kent is proud to have his three sons now keeping the dream alive. 

What had initially started as a wax company for surfboards now encompasses clothing, an onsite vegetarian and vegan-friendly cafe, boards, and other surfing accessories. 

Kent’s humble beginnings started with honey surf wax after he found the traditional wax chipped too easily on his board. 

“To save on litter, the only packaging we used was recycled boxes and newspapers. While the wax itself had nothing except for a sticker.”

“As it turned out, when people peeled it off, it was generally easier to slap it on something than find a bin, so we ended up with hundreds of thousands of stickers representing the brand on cars, signs, fridges, you name it. It was amazing.”

Kent, now in his 70s, credits his environmentally friendly ethics for his good health.

“Our goal is to help people feel good, look good and be one with the environment,” he says.

“I still go out and surf every day with the boys, it brings us closer.

“Families who surf together, stay together.”

Natural Necessity, 115 Fern Street, Gerringong, NSW. Call 4234 1636 or visit naturalnecessity.com.au

Thor’s 30 years of sustainable timber solutions

Thor Diesendorf, founder and owner of Thor’s Hammer, is a key figure in Canberra’s sustainable business scene and, in recognition of his efforts, Thor’s Hammer won the Ministers’ Award for Leadership at the ACT Government Climate Choices Business Awards in 2023.

Now celebrating 30 years in business, Thor’s Hammer plays a pivotal role in Canberra’s circular economy – where materials are reused and repurposed to minimise waste, says Thor.

“Demand for sustainable options in construction is booming,” he says. 

“It’s great to see more people choosing recycled products – not just for their environmental benefits, but for the unique character and story they bring.”

Recycled timber from Thor’s Hammer isn’t just sustainable; it’s top quality, he says. 

“We mostly salvage Australian hardwoods, ideal for flooring, cladding, decking and furniture for both inside and outside,” says Thor.

As they enter their fourth decade, Thor says there are no signs of them slowing down. 

“We’ve doubled in size over the last five years,” he says. 

“That’s allowed us to invest more in sustainability. Our equipment is more efficient, we’re upcycling more waste like sawdust and offcuts than ever before, and we’re close to becoming fully electric, with a 60kW solar PV system and an all-electric forklift fleet. 

“It’s been an incredible 30 years – but there’s still more to do, and I’m excited to see what’s next.”

Thor’s Hammer, 10 Mildura Street, Griffith. Call 6282 9900, or visit thors.com.au