The Bower Re-Use And Repair Centre Co-Operative

The Bower Re-Use and Repair Centre Co-Operative is an Australian nonprofit environmental charity and cooperative dedicated to waste reduction and the promotion of a circular economy through repurposing unwanted household goods. Established over two decades ago, The Bower has pioneered initiatives in reclaiming, repairing, and reusing household items to divert waste from landfill and support sustainability with a social welfare outlook[1][3][5].

Overview

The Bower facilitates the collection, repair, and resale of preloved goods at low cost, making them accessible to the community. Donated goods are either resold or distributed to people in need through programs such as House to Home. Their activities help conserve natural resources by encouraging reuse and repair rather than disposal[2][3][5].

Operations and Locations

Marrickville Store
Located at Addison Road Community Centre, the Marrickville store is a treasure trove featuring building supplies, kitchenware, bric-a-brac, artwork, clothing, books, and records. It operates Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 3 pm[1][5].

Summer Hill Boutique
Part of the Inner West Sustainability Hub, this boutique specializes in vintage furniture, records, and books, and also hosts repair shops and workshops. The store is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday during varied hours, with an office open on Fridays[1][5].

Redfern Workshops
Situated at the back of 107 Redfern Street, these workshops host DIY, woodwork, and furniture repair classes. The site is also home to a Men’s Shed group meeting every Thursday. The Bower offers numerous workshops to teach skills in furniture upholstery, basic carpentry, and mending techniques[1].

Community Services

The Bower provides free collection services for preloved household items, enabling residents in participating areas to easily recycle, reuse, or repair their goods instead of discarding them. They also maintain a reuse database to connect people with local organizations for further recycling or repair services[4][5].

Impact and Mission

As an environmental charity, The Bower focuses on promoting sustainability by reducing waste and fostering a circular economy. Through their cooperative model, they actively support social welfare by making affordable goods available and conducting workshops aimed at empowering individuals with repair and reuse skills[3][5].

In summary, The Bower Re-Use and Repair Centre Co-Operative is a significant Australian nonprofit that combines environmental and social objectives to reduce waste, promote reuse, and support community wellbeing through educational and practical initiatives.

[1] https://bower.org.au [2] https://bower.org.au/collections/ [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/6fd692df-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad244fd/profile [4] https://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/waste-recycling/bower-reuse-repair-centre [5] https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Environment-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/Other-Services/Reuse-Services/The-Bower