Reviva Darwin
Reviva Darwin: Six Months of Impact at Our First NT Site
When we opened Reviva Darwin at the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility in early 2025, it marked an exciting new chapter – our first site in the Northern Territory. From day one, the focus was on creating local jobs, keeping valuable resources out of landfill, and becoming part of the Darwin community.
This place-based approach is how we open every site across the country. By hiring locally, engaging schools and community groups, and working with council partners, we embed ourselves quickly and make sure the benefits flow straight back to the community.
The results were clear within just six months. Reviva Darwin welcomed more than 15,000 customers, diverted 159 tonnes of material from landfill, sold over 33,500 quality items, created eight new local jobs, engaged 12 school groups, and donated 773kg of clothing, books, and toys to local charities.
One of those eight local jobs went to Ricky Bunug – a young Territorian whose story highlights how our place-based, #WASTE2WAGES model works.
Ricky, who turned 23 this year, had been looking for work for two years without success. “I didn’t think I’d get the job, to be honest,” he says. “No one would give me a chance because I didn’t have any experience.”
On Christmas Day, Ricky saw the job at Reviva Darwin advertised on SEEK. “Happy Christmas!” he says with a laugh. “I applied and was successful. It was great starting out – the Reviva team have taught me so much – especially time management and how to take initiative – and I have been extremely supported.”
Half a year on, Ricky works hard as a core member of the team: “I do customer service, donations, and merchandise the shop. I also do the cash up at the end of the day.”
He says, “I still have a lot to learn and to grow, but every day I am learning more which helps me with my confidence. I’ve saved up enough money and was able to buy my own car – that was a big moment for me.”
He also recalls how it felt to give a speech at Reviva Darwin’s grand opening event: “I was nervous but very proud to be able to share my story.”
Looking ahead, Ricky is excited about what’s next: “I want my forklift licence and eventually I want to grow within RRA. I love my job, and I love RRA. I feel like I matter.”
This is just the beginning for Ricky and Reviva Darwin. The team is already planning new reuse workshops, exploring additional recycling streams like mattresses and polystyrene, and building more partnerships with schools and community groups.
“We’re incredibly proud of what the Reviva Reuse Shop has achieved in such a short time – it has quickly become an important part of delivering on our Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy to divert up to 50% of waste from landfill. It’s a great example of how council and social enterprise can work together to create fairer, cleaner, more sustainable communities.”
City of Darwin CEO Simone Saunders
“I still have a lot to learn and to grow, but every day I am learning more which helps me with my confidence. I’ve saved up enough money and was able to buy my own car – that was a big moment for me.”
Ricky Bunug RRA DARWIN
REVIVA REUSE SHOPS
