Since it formed in 1997, Friends of the Earth Brisbane has initiated three 'sustainable' businesses - Reverse Garbage, the Bicycle Revolution and Eco-Geek, which have been established as independent, non-profit, worker-run cooperatives. We also operate (via Reverse Garbage) a recycled paper buying group called 'Papernet' which provides genuine (100% post consumer waste) recycled paper to local businesses and other organisations. These projects are part of FoE's long term funding strategy as well as our efforts to promote alternatives to an increasingly alienating and environmentally destructive economy.
Reverse Garbage
Most of us have seen bins and skips full of materials that are too good to throw out.... timber, wire, fabrics, vinyl, out-moded stock. It seems absurd that companies are paying landfill fees to waste these valuable resources when there are thousands of people who could use these materials.
Reverse Garbage has been created in response to this situation - to help make industrial discards available at low cost for creative use in the Brisbane community.
We operate a large retail warehouse at 296 Montague Road, West End. An amazing variety of interesting and useful discards are available for use by artists, craftspeople, handypeople, teachers, tradespeople and the general community.
The Bicycle Revolution
Established in order to generate local employment, re-use valuable resources and to encourage sustainable urban transport.
By redirecting bicycles from the scrap-heap, we aim to encourage cycling by providing low cost, reliable bicycles to the community.
Any surplus funds are used to support Friends of the Earth environmental education programmes.
Open Tuesday to Friday,
9.00am to 5.30pm and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.
294 Montague Road,
West End
PO Box 5702, West End,
QLD 4101
Ph: 3342 7829
Fax: 3846 4791
Wildspaces Film Festival
Wild Spaces is Australia's only national film festival focused entirely on environmental, social justice and human rights issues. The festival will be screening around Australia showcasing a broad range of documentaries, animations and short films. Wild Spaces is a new media forum that is uncensored and committed to screening films that explore and depict real people from around the world, the issues they face, and the work they are doing to build stronger communities and a healthier planet.
EcoGeek
... is a West-End based small business that aims to assist niche computer users attain their goals. These users include lower-income earners, students, artists, writers, and anyone else who feels the need to start using computers as a means of communication or production. We hope to promote the fair distribution and usage of technology, for people from all walks and levels of society.
30 years of Creative Resistance, A History of FoE Australia documents the grass roots work of our organisation. RRP $20. Ph: 07 3846 5793 to order a copy. All proceeds go to FoEBs environmental and social justice campaigns.