National Waste Reporting 2013
CASE STUDY - DENMARK TIP SHOP AND RECYCLING CENTRE1
Background
Green Skills is a registered not-for-profit organisation committed to developing and managing
environmental projects that assist communities to effectively implement a vision for a
sustainable future. The operations of the centre fit in with the overall waste management
activities of the Shire of Denmark.
Project Description
The Denmark tip shop, based at the MacIntosh Road waste transfer site five kilometres
outside of Denmark, was established by Green Skills in 2001 with the approval and support of
the Shire of Denmark. It provides important social and environmental services to the local
community. It supports low income families and community projects and operates with the
support of six part-time paid employees, two ‘work for the dole’ workers, about eight
occasional volunteers, funding and in-kind support.
The facility was expanded in 2003 with the construction of an additional undercover area. It
was expanded again in 2009, when a new shed was built to display larger items such as
whitegoods, furniture and other items that could be damaged by the weather.
In 2009 the Walpole work camp of the Western Australian Department of Corrective Services
provided a demountable building which has been fitted out as a recycling education facility
with a classroom, secure storage area and kitchen. The site also includes an appropriate
technology section which demonstrates the use of worm farms and other technology which will
reduce waste and enhance sustainability.
This section of the facility includes:

a demonstration solar dryer

worm farms

other innovative appropriate technology demonstration sites

a program to work with local restorers to display repaired furniture and other items.
Figure 1: Picture of the Denmark tip shop
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These words are taken from the Waste Management Regional and Remote Australia Working Group compilation of case studies available at: http://www.scew.gov.au/resource/solutions-waste-
management-regional-and-remote-australia-–-compilation-case-studies
The Tiporium Teahouse was established in 2010 using second-hand furniture and kitchen
equipment. This casual café enables people to make a cup of coffee or tea while visiting the
centre.
The tip shop ‘funk junk music’ section provides ‘junk’ musical instruments for visitors to play
and regular funk junk music sessions are run at the tip shop. The tip shop works with Denmark
Arts, Tha House and other organisations to run cultural and recycling education projects which
are linked to the tip shop. Additionally, they hold exhibitions, performances and installations at
the tip shop in music, stencil art, writing and sculpture.
In its first year of operation the tip shop diverted 100 cubic metres from landfill. In 2011, figures
collated for the facility indicated that about 300 cubic metres volume of material was diverted
from landfill.
The tip shop staff collect statistics about the use of the facility to help assess its effectiveness
and so they have data to use when preparing grant applications and reporting back to funding
organisations. On a daily basis, data is collected on:

volume out (sales), volume to waste transfer area, and volume from waste transfer area

financial income for the day

number of batteries recycled (car size).
Data is also regularly recorded on the volume of aluminium and other metal recycled. Green
Skills would like to extend this data collection to include more accurate surveying of waste
diverted from landfill, as well as gathering a range of other information about visitor usage,
intentions and recommendations for this facility.
Challenges
Green Skills has had to overcome a range of financial and operational challenges in setting up
and running this facility. While the Shire of Denmark has provided some support towards
establishing new sheds, no additional running costs are provided. Green Skills is currently
negotiating with the local government for a long-term lease which would secure the future of
this community-based enterprise.
Outcomes achieved
By 2011, the tip shop community hub included:

a re-use and resale centre comprising three sheds and outdoor areas

a tip shop education facility

appropriate technology displays and wormery

a social area

recycled music instrument display.
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Implementation
Funding has been received from a number of bodies to assist with the development and
implementation of various projects:

new large, multi-purpose shed with concrete floor and electricity connection

establishment of an education facility and resource centre

composting toilet for public use

rainwater tank

preparation and progressive implementation of a community enterprise and educational
strategic plan.
Green Skills welcomes inquiries from other rural communities on how to set up and run re-use
and resale centres. For more information see http://denmarktipshop.wordpress.com/about/ or
www.greenskills.org.au.
Cost
Green Skills operates the Denmark tip shop on an operational budget of about $40 000 per
year, but with funding totalling about $150 000 for facilities and education programs over the
past decade. During 2011 there was approximately $75 000 spent on new infrastructure and
educational programs and $40 000 on operational costs.
Figure 2: Picture of the Denmark Tip Shop
For more information see:
www.greenskills.org.au
http://denmarktipshop.wordpress.com/about/
www.denmarkcsl.com.au
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