New initiative to turn a business' surplus into community resources
Charles Darwin University
Online marketplaces and buy, swap and sell groups have become popular ways to pass on unwanted items. Now, a new pilot program will help businesses reduce waste by connecting their excess materials with community organisations that can reuse them.
The Charles Darwin University (CDU) program, Darwin Business-to-Community Material Matchmaking (BCMM), is a 12-month community-led initiative funded through the City of Darwin’s 2026/27 Environment and Climate Change Grants.
It will connect businesses with schools, artists, makers, community groups, social enterprises and other local organisations that can make practical use of items that would otherwise be discarded.
According to the City of Darwin’s Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy, the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility – the only licensed landfill in Greater Darwin – accepts more than 200,000 tonnes of waste and recyclable materials per year.
Of this, 43.9 per cent of waste comes from the commercial and industrial sector, and 15.8 per cent from the construction and development sector.
Businesses will be able to list materials on a BCMM digital noticeboard, where community groups and organisations will be able to browse for items.
The project will also include regular pop-up swap events at CDU’s Danala | Education and Community Precinct, where materials can be exchanged, and attendees can learn more about reuse, repair and recycling.
The project is being led by CDU Senior Lecturer in Business Dr Michael Odei Erdiaw-Kwasie and CDU Outstanding Future Researcher in Psychosocial Resilience Dr Matthew Abunyewah.
The pilot aims to divert 1000 to 2000 kilograms of materials from landfill, engage up to 20 local businesses and 100 to 200 community users, and facilitate more than 50 successful matches between donors and recipients.
Dr Erdiaw-Kwasie said the program supports a more circular economy, where materials are shared, reused and valued for longer, while helping businesses lower disposal costs.
“Many businesses regularly end up with materials they no longer need, such as timber offcuts, packaging, pallets, fabric, display items, containers and other surplus goods,” Dr Erdiaw Kwasie said.
“Often these items still have value, but because there is no simple way to pass them on, they are thrown away.
“At the same time, many community groups and organisations are looking for low-cost materials for creative projects, repairs, education activities, gardening, fundraising and community programs.
“This project brings those two needs together in a simple and practical way.”
The project will also produce an operations manual and sustainability plan to support sharing and scaling the model, if the pilot is successful.
Dr Abunyewah added that the project would provide significant benefits for the community.
“Schools may use donated materials for student projects. Community gardens may access building materials or containers. Repair groups and makerspaces may find items they can transform into useful products,” Dr Abunyewah said.
“Charities and social enterprises may also be able to use materials to support their programs or generate income. In this way, the project turns what was once surplus into a local resource that supports creativity, participation and community resilience.”
Businesses and community organisations interested in participating can register via the BCMM digital noticeboard and attend upcoming pop-up swap events. Further information about registration, the digital noticeboard and the first event will be available at the pilot launch.
The project will also produce an operations manual and a sustainability plan to support the sharing and scaling of the model if the pilot is successful.
The pilot will launch later this year. Businesses and organisations can learn more and register their interest by reaching out to [email protected] and [email protected]
Contact details:
Raphaella Saroukos she/her
Research Communications Officer
Marketing, Media & Communications
Larrakia Country
T: +61 8 8946 6721
E: [email protected]
W: cdu.edu.au
Charles Darwin University acknowledges all First Nations people across the lands on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders both past and present.
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