A recently released Reuse Impact Study in Tasmania has sparked important conversations about what it truly means to integrate reuse into our daily lives. Tasmanians take pride in their strong reuse culture, particularly in the retail and charity sectors. For those of us working on the frontline of circular solutions, this report is a much-needed spotlight on the potential of reuse in other sectors, and a prompt to ask: are we writing the right narrative?

Reuse goes beyond charity. Reuse It’s a cultural shift.

I have always viewed reusable items as both a practical solution and a cultural value since childhood, which I continue to practice. However, today I’m particularly interested in how the reuse revolution can transform one area where waste piles up quickly: events and festivals.

Could Reusable Dishes Be Tasmania’s Next Big Reuse Solution?

At a festival in rural Victoria, I was part of a #b-alternative team that replaced single-use food packaging with a system of washable, reusable plates and cups. Over the course of two days, 8,500 items were reused. No bins overflowing with single-use, no litter, and I had a great time as Bin fairy. I experienced an efficient reuse system in action: the Reuse Revolution.

Now here’s where it gets exciting: After my hands-on learning, I used our insight to fill in the Tasmanian Reuse Impact Calculator -featured in the Reuse Impact Study- this tool estimated that we:

Diverted 34 tonnes of waste from landfill,
Saved 82 kg of CO₂, and
It could have generated $50,000 in revenue.

Credit #b-alternative Off Grid Festival, 2025 VIC

Imagine that revenue going straight back into the community, supporting local social enterprises and creating green jobs. This could be more than a theory; it could be a reality, waiting to be scaled.

Reuse isn’t just about second-hand goods or even festivals. Reuse is a system, and systems require more than good intentions. They need:

Regulations (sanitation and safety standards),
Infrastructure (warehouse and transport),
Investment (education and employment),
Cultural support (normalising reuse beyond just those who “can’t afford it”).

Reusable Dishes help food trucks save money! Don’t throw your money in the trash.

The truth is, if we want Tasmania to be a leader in sustainability, we need to make reuse a mainstream practice, beginning with a simple question at every event: "Why not reuse?"

If we’re serious about "Tasmania, where nothing is wasted," then it's time to see some money put where the slogans are. Responsible investments in targeted waste management systems are the missing puzzle piece.

Launching reuse-focused grant programs is in high demand to achieve less waste and a reuse economy that emerges to replace the use of single-use products in the food and entertainment industries, we have to start backing it... with cash. Otherwise, "waste-free" is just a nice idea. With the right policy, grants, and mindset, the reuse revolution can be more than a niche; it can become the norm of how we eat, celebrate, and gather in Tasmania. Are you with me?

Credit to #b-alternative at Off Grid Festival, 2025 VIC

Have you seen reuse systems work at a Tasmanian event? Or maybe you’ve tried it in your business or community? Are you an advocate and want to volunteer with us? I’d love to hear from you, and ideas for bringing the reuse revolution into the spotlight where it belongs.

#ReuseAtEvents #CircularEconomy #SustainableEvents #TasmaniaReuse #SocialEnterprise #WasteReduction #ReuseRevolution

Are We Getting the 'Reuse' Idea Right in Tasmania?

Second Chance