Sharing and repairing is caring for the planet and your bottom line

Whether you're seeking to save money or space, reduce waste, buy less, or contribute to the circular economy, there are many local initiatives in the Hunter where you can hire, borrow, or repair what you need instead.
"The Share Shop is a 'library of things' that enables members to borrow infrequently used items as needed," volunteer president Lanah Maruff says.
Inspired by the Renew Newcastle movement, The Share Shop came to life through the efforts of a handful of forward-thinking Novocastrians in 2018. Originally based at Clyde Street, it moved to Pachamama House in Hamilton in 2019 and is a wholly community-run initiative staffed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers.
Membership costs $15 for three months or $52 annually and gives members access to a wide range of items, including garden and power tools, camping gear, kitchen appliances, board games, and party supplies.
"The Share Shop exists to help people own less and live more. We do that by offering a service that helps people save money, space in their homes, and reduce waste to landfill," Maruff says.
The Islington-based Newcastle Push Bike Library was established in 2007. Here, locals can buy, borrow, hire, swap, or trade bikes and access parts, repairs, advice, and workshops.
Dan Endicott, the bike library's coordinator, is a passionate advocate of cycling and the many health, well-being, social, and sustainability benefits it brings.
"Many high-quality bikes from the late '80s still last a lot longer than low-quality bikes," Endicott says.
Thousands of older bikes have been fixed through the bike library over the last decade.
Newcastle Toy Library is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that was established in 1975. It's located in the New Lambton Library and is open every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.45am. It offers over 1,500 toys, including puzzles, sensory toys, baby toys, active toys, games, and building toys, for children up to eight. One-year membership costs $45 per child or $55 for a family.
"With the current cost-of-living pressures facing our community, our toy library offers families affordable access to quality toys, games, and puzzles," committee president Erin Rheinberger says.
"Toy libraries are a real-life example of a circular economy - play, return, repeat. They give every toy a longer and more meaningful life, reduce waste, and cut down on clutter in homes."
The Full Circle Collective is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit enterprise and circular economy hub that opened last October.
"We showcase and sell products and services from over 50 local makers and innovators, who creatively use circular economy principles to design out waste and keep resources in use for longer," The Full Circle Collective's sustainability director, Bianca Bartlett, says.
The store offers a range of products, including jewellery, home decor, paint, planters, and BYO container refills for cleaning and laundry products. It also hosts projects and events, including clothing swaps and community waste-to-art projects, offered on a pay-what-you-want basis.
The Full Circle Collective launched its Repair Cafe in April. Held in-store on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, people can bring items such as clothing, toys, or timber furniture in for repair by skilled professionals.
Newcastle Libraries launched The Library of Useful Things in December 2024. "Nicknamed LOUT, it is a special collection curated to inspire inclusivity, sustainability and creativity," Emma Callaghan, who oversees LOUT, explains.
The Share Shop already served the need for tools, machinery, and camping supplies. Callaghan says, "Newcastle Libraries wanted to offer a collection of other useful things not available from The Share Shop, but requested by our community."
The collection includes fidget spinners, braille games, home energy kits, and Aranet4 air-quality monitors. It is ever-growing, with new items to be added in July.
"This is a community-driven collection offering a chance to try a new, useful product before deciding to buy it, and a chance to use one-off equipment you may not want to purchase outright," she says.
"Newcastle Repair Cafe is a place where skilled repairers teach non-repairers how to fix much-loved broken household items," Christina Robberds of Repair Cafe says.
Launched in March 2022 by Newcastle Libraries, the Repair Cafe events are free and held every two months at various community locations across Newcastle. Residents can bring items such as textiles, toys, small tools, and furniture for repair or mending.
"Community members are encouraged to have a go at fixing the item themselves, or repairers fix the item for them and talk through the repair process, offering tips and advice to build skills and confidence in our attendees," Robberds says.
Bike repairs will be trialled at the upcoming Repair Cafe at Hamilton Community Hive (152 Beaumont St, Hamilton) on June 14 from 9.30am to 12pm.
Lake Macquarie City Council offers residents a range of services designed to reduce waste and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures.
"The Library of Things is just an extension of what libraries already do. We purchase items that libraries haven't traditionally purchased in the past and make them available for loan," says Kieran O'Donoghue, collection development leader at the council.
The list of items available for loan is diverse and ever-growing, including jigsaws, games, baking and cooking accessories, sports equipment, tools, safety gear, and party supplies.
Regular Repair It Lake Mac events are held across the city. Residents can bring in toys, household goods, furniture, and clothes to be repaired free of charge.
Whether you're seeking to save money or space, reduce waste, buy less, or contribute to the circular economy, there are many local initiatives in the Hunter where you can hire, borrow, or repair what you need instead.
"The Share Shop is a 'library of things' that enables members to borrow infrequently used items as needed," volunteer president Lanah Maruff says.
Inspired by the Renew Newcastle movement, The Share Shop came to life through the efforts of a handful of forward-thinking Novocastrians in 2018. Originally based at Clyde Street, it moved to Pachamama House in Hamilton in 2019 and is a wholly community-run initiative staffed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers.
Membership costs $15 for three months or $52 annually and gives members access to a wide range of items, including garden and power tools, camping gear, kitchen appliances, board games, and party supplies.
"The Share Shop exists to help people own less and live more. We do that by offering a service that helps people save money, space in their homes, and reduce waste to landfill," Maruff says.
The Islington-based Newcastle Push Bike Library was established in 2007. Here, locals can buy, borrow, hire, swap, or trade bikes and access parts, repairs, advice, and workshops.
Dan Endicott, the bike library's coordinator, is a passionate advocate of cycling and the many health, well-being, social, and sustainability benefits it brings.
"Many high-quality bikes from the late '80s still last a lot longer than low-quality bikes," Endicott says.
Thousands of older bikes have been fixed through the bike library over the last decade.
Newcastle Toy Library is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that was established in 1975. It's located in the New Lambton Library and is open every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.45am. It offers over 1,500 toys, including puzzles, sensory toys, baby toys, active toys, games, and building toys, for children up to eight. One-year membership costs $45 per child or $55 for a family.
"With the current cost-of-living pressures facing our community, our toy library offers families affordable access to quality toys, games, and puzzles," committee president Erin Rheinberger says.
"Toy libraries are a real-life example of a circular economy - play, return, repeat. They give every toy a longer and more meaningful life, reduce waste, and cut down on clutter in homes."
The Full Circle Collective is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit enterprise and circular economy hub that opened last October.
"We showcase and sell products and services from over 50 local makers and innovators, who creatively use circular economy principles to design out waste and keep resources in use for longer," The Full Circle Collective's sustainability director, Bianca Bartlett, says.
The store offers a range of products, including jewellery, home decor, paint, planters, and BYO container refills for cleaning and laundry products. It also hosts projects and events, including clothing swaps and community waste-to-art projects, offered on a pay-what-you-want basis.
The Full Circle Collective launched its Repair Cafe in April. Held in-store on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, people can bring items such as clothing, toys, or timber furniture in for repair by skilled professionals.
Newcastle Libraries launched The Library of Useful Things in December 2024. "Nicknamed LOUT, it is a special collection curated to inspire inclusivity, sustainability and creativity," Emma Callaghan, who oversees LOUT, explains.
The Share Shop already served the need for tools, machinery, and camping supplies. Callaghan says, "Newcastle Libraries wanted to offer a collection of other useful things not available from The Share Shop, but requested by our community."
The collection includes fidget spinners, braille games, home energy kits, and Aranet4 air-quality monitors. It is ever-growing, with new items to be added in July.
"This is a community-driven collection offering a chance to try a new, useful product before deciding to buy it, and a chance to use one-off equipment you may not want to purchase outright," she says.
"Newcastle Repair Cafe is a place where skilled repairers teach non-repairers how to fix much-loved broken household items," Christina Robberds of Repair Cafe says.
Launched in March 2022 by Newcastle Libraries, the Repair Cafe events are free and held every two months at various community locations across Newcastle. Residents can bring items such as textiles, toys, small tools, and furniture for repair or mending.
"Community members are encouraged to have a go at fixing the item themselves, or repairers fix the item for them and talk through the repair process, offering tips and advice to build skills and confidence in our attendees," Robberds says.
Bike repairs will be trialled at the upcoming Repair Cafe at Hamilton Community Hive (152 Beaumont St, Hamilton) on June 14 from 9.30am to 12pm.
Lake Macquarie City Council offers residents a range of services designed to reduce waste and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures.
"The Library of Things is just an extension of what libraries already do. We purchase items that libraries haven't traditionally purchased in the past and make them available for loan," says Kieran O'Donoghue, collection development leader at the council.
The list of items available for loan is diverse and ever-growing, including jigsaws, games, baking and cooking accessories, sports equipment, tools, safety gear, and party supplies.
Regular Repair It Lake Mac events are held across the city. Residents can bring in toys, household goods, furniture, and clothes to be repaired free of charge.
Whether you're seeking to save money or space, reduce waste, buy less, or contribute to the circular economy, there are many local initiatives in the Hunter where you can hire, borrow, or repair what you need instead.
"The Share Shop is a 'library of things' that enables members to borrow infrequently used items as needed," volunteer president Lanah Maruff says.
Inspired by the Renew Newcastle movement, The Share Shop came to life through the efforts of a handful of forward-thinking Novocastrians in 2018. Originally based at Clyde Street, it moved to Pachamama House in Hamilton in 2019 and is a wholly community-run initiative staffed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers.
Membership costs $15 for three months or $52 annually and gives members access to a wide range of items, including garden and power tools, camping gear, kitchen appliances, board games, and party supplies.
"The Share Shop exists to help people own less and live more. We do that by offering a service that helps people save money, space in their homes, and reduce waste to landfill," Maruff says.
The Islington-based Newcastle Push Bike Library was established in 2007. Here, locals can buy, borrow, hire, swap, or trade bikes and access parts, repairs, advice, and workshops.
Dan Endicott, the bike library's coordinator, is a passionate advocate of cycling and the many health, well-being, social, and sustainability benefits it brings.
"Many high-quality bikes from the late '80s still last a lot longer than low-quality bikes," Endicott says.
Thousands of older bikes have been fixed through the bike library over the last decade.
Newcastle Toy Library is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that was established in 1975. It's located in the New Lambton Library and is open every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.45am. It offers over 1,500 toys, including puzzles, sensory toys, baby toys, active toys, games, and building toys, for children up to eight. One-year membership costs $45 per child or $55 for a family.
"With the current cost-of-living pressures facing our community, our toy library offers families affordable access to quality toys, games, and puzzles," committee president Erin Rheinberger says.
"Toy libraries are a real-life example of a circular economy - play, return, repeat. They give every toy a longer and more meaningful life, reduce waste, and cut down on clutter in homes."
The Full Circle Collective is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit enterprise and circular economy hub that opened last October.
"We showcase and sell products and services from over 50 local makers and innovators, who creatively use circular economy principles to design out waste and keep resources in use for longer," The Full Circle Collective's sustainability director, Bianca Bartlett, says.
The store offers a range of products, including jewellery, home decor, paint, planters, and BYO container refills for cleaning and laundry products. It also hosts projects and events, including clothing swaps and community waste-to-art projects, offered on a pay-what-you-want basis.
The Full Circle Collective launched its Repair Cafe in April. Held in-store on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, people can bring items such as clothing, toys, or timber furniture in for repair by skilled professionals.
Newcastle Libraries launched The Library of Useful Things in December 2024. "Nicknamed LOUT, it is a special collection curated to inspire inclusivity, sustainability and creativity," Emma Callaghan, who oversees LOUT, explains.
The Share Shop already served the need for tools, machinery, and camping supplies. Callaghan says, "Newcastle Libraries wanted to offer a collection of other useful things not available from The Share Shop, but requested by our community."
The collection includes fidget spinners, braille games, home energy kits, and Aranet4 air-quality monitors. It is ever-growing, with new items to be added in July.
"This is a community-driven collection offering a chance to try a new, useful product before deciding to buy it, and a chance to use one-off equipment you may not want to purchase outright," she says.
"Newcastle Repair Cafe is a place where skilled repairers teach non-repairers how to fix much-loved broken household items," Christina Robberds of Repair Cafe says.
Launched in March 2022 by Newcastle Libraries, the Repair Cafe events are free and held every two months at various community locations across Newcastle. Residents can bring items such as textiles, toys, small tools, and furniture for repair or mending.
"Community members are encouraged to have a go at fixing the item themselves, or repairers fix the item for them and talk through the repair process, offering tips and advice to build skills and confidence in our attendees," Robberds says.
Bike repairs will be trialled at the upcoming Repair Cafe at Hamilton Community Hive (152 Beaumont St, Hamilton) on June 14 from 9.30am to 12pm.
Lake Macquarie City Council offers residents a range of services designed to reduce waste and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures.
"The Library of Things is just an extension of what libraries already do. We purchase items that libraries haven't traditionally purchased in the past and make them available for loan," says Kieran O'Donoghue, collection development leader at the council.
The list of items available for loan is diverse and ever-growing, including jigsaws, games, baking and cooking accessories, sports equipment, tools, safety gear, and party supplies.
Regular Repair It Lake Mac events are held across the city. Residents can bring in toys, household goods, furniture, and clothes to be repaired free of charge.
Whether you're seeking to save money or space, reduce waste, buy less, or contribute to the circular economy, there are many local initiatives in the Hunter where you can hire, borrow, or repair what you need instead.
"The Share Shop is a 'library of things' that enables members to borrow infrequently used items as needed," volunteer president Lanah Maruff says.
Inspired by the Renew Newcastle movement, The Share Shop came to life through the efforts of a handful of forward-thinking Novocastrians in 2018. Originally based at Clyde Street, it moved to Pachamama House in Hamilton in 2019 and is a wholly community-run initiative staffed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers.
Membership costs $15 for three months or $52 annually and gives members access to a wide range of items, including garden and power tools, camping gear, kitchen appliances, board games, and party supplies.
"The Share Shop exists to help people own less and live more. We do that by offering a service that helps people save money, space in their homes, and reduce waste to landfill," Maruff says.
The Islington-based Newcastle Push Bike Library was established in 2007. Here, locals can buy, borrow, hire, swap, or trade bikes and access parts, repairs, advice, and workshops.
Dan Endicott, the bike library's coordinator, is a passionate advocate of cycling and the many health, well-being, social, and sustainability benefits it brings.
"Many high-quality bikes from the late '80s still last a lot longer than low-quality bikes," Endicott says.
Thousands of older bikes have been fixed through the bike library over the last decade.
Newcastle Toy Library is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that was established in 1975. It's located in the New Lambton Library and is open every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.45am. It offers over 1,500 toys, including puzzles, sensory toys, baby toys, active toys, games, and building toys, for children up to eight. One-year membership costs $45 per child or $55 for a family.
"With the current cost-of-living pressures facing our community, our toy library offers families affordable access to quality toys, games, and puzzles," committee president Erin Rheinberger says.
"Toy libraries are a real-life example of a circular economy - play, return, repeat. They give every toy a longer and more meaningful life, reduce waste, and cut down on clutter in homes."
The Full Circle Collective is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit enterprise and circular economy hub that opened last October.
"We showcase and sell products and services from over 50 local makers and innovators, who creatively use circular economy principles to design out waste and keep resources in use for longer," The Full Circle Collective's sustainability director, Bianca Bartlett, says.
The store offers a range of products, including jewellery, home decor, paint, planters, and BYO container refills for cleaning and laundry products. It also hosts projects and events, including clothing swaps and community waste-to-art projects, offered on a pay-what-you-want basis.
The Full Circle Collective launched its Repair Cafe in April. Held in-store on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, people can bring items such as clothing, toys, or timber furniture in for repair by skilled professionals.
Newcastle Libraries launched The Library of Useful Things in December 2024. "Nicknamed LOUT, it is a special collection curated to inspire inclusivity, sustainability and creativity," Emma Callaghan, who oversees LOUT, explains.
The Share Shop already served the need for tools, machinery, and camping supplies. Callaghan says, "Newcastle Libraries wanted to offer a collection of other useful things not available from The Share Shop, but requested by our community."
The collection includes fidget spinners, braille games, home energy kits, and Aranet4 air-quality monitors. It is ever-growing, with new items to be added in July.
"This is a community-driven collection offering a chance to try a new, useful product before deciding to buy it, and a chance to use one-off equipment you may not want to purchase outright," she says.
"Newcastle Repair Cafe is a place where skilled repairers teach non-repairers how to fix much-loved broken household items," Christina Robberds of Repair Cafe says.
Launched in March 2022 by Newcastle Libraries, the Repair Cafe events are free and held every two months at various community locations across Newcastle. Residents can bring items such as textiles, toys, small tools, and furniture for repair or mending.
"Community members are encouraged to have a go at fixing the item themselves, or repairers fix the item for them and talk through the repair process, offering tips and advice to build skills and confidence in our attendees," Robberds says.
Bike repairs will be trialled at the upcoming Repair Cafe at Hamilton Community Hive (152 Beaumont St, Hamilton) on June 14 from 9.30am to 12pm.
Lake Macquarie City Council offers residents a range of services designed to reduce waste and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures.
"The Library of Things is just an extension of what libraries already do. We purchase items that libraries haven't traditionally purchased in the past and make them available for loan," says Kieran O'Donoghue, collection development leader at the council.
The list of items available for loan is diverse and ever-growing, including jigsaws, games, baking and cooking accessories, sports equipment, tools, safety gear, and party supplies.
Regular Repair It Lake Mac events are held across the city. Residents can bring in toys, household goods, furniture, and clothes to be repaired free of charge.

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