Join the Cycle in Style: Vinnies Celebrates 30 Years of National Recycling Week

Grab your party hats GFZ legends, because National Recycling Week just turned 30! And Vinnies NSW has brought the party outfits. Think designer dresses, to vintage blazers, and so much more, all pre-loved, donated and ready for a second life.

Happy 30th Birthday, National Recycling Week!

Planet Ark kicked off National Recycling Week back in 1996, and it has rolled around every second week of November ever since. This year it runs from 9 to 15 November with a theme we love: "Join the Cycle". The mission? Keep reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling at home and right across our communities.

And wow, have we come a long way. Australia's recycling rate has rocketed from 7% to over 60%, and the amount each of us recycles has leapt from about 80kg a year in 1996 to around 1,700kg today. Now that's a real recycling glow-up.

Say Hello to ReWear It

To celebrate, Vinnies NSW, this year's official Community Partner, has launched ReWear It, a curated collection made entirely from clothing donated to Vinnies stores. We're talking floral Country Road dresses, vintage blazers, Sass & Bide wide-leg pants, Steve Madden boots and more. 

The best bit? You can shop it online through Vinnies Finds, which runs from a warehouse in Stanmore NSW and adds hundreds of fresh pieces every single day.

"The ReWear It collection has been created to showcase the quality, style, and longevity of pre-loved fashion," said Gemma Presley, Retail Experience and Brand Manager at Vinnies NSW. She says it celebrates "the value that already exists within our wardrobes and communities," proving "that great style doesn't have to come at the expense of the planet." We couldn't agree more.

The Numbers That Made Us Cheer

Vinnies stores have been giving donated goods a second life for over a century, and last financial year was a cracker. Vinnies NSW's 220-plus shops served 4.8 million customers and sold over 12 million items, including 3 million pieces of women's clothing. They also received and sorted just under 3.4 million kilograms of donated textiles. 

And here's the part that really warms our hearts. Vinnies NSW Members supported 106,595 people last year, sharing $16.2 million in financial and material aid through more than 100 programs and services. Good for the planet and good for people? Yes please.

Why Pre-Loved Is Having Its Moment

Australians buy an average of 56 new clothing items a year, and more than 200,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfill each year (yikes). The exciting news is that every second-hand score helps keep good clothes in wardrobes and out of landfill, and it looks fabulous doing it.

Thirty years in, National Recycling Week is still proving that small habits spark big change. So whether you're dropping off quality donations or hunting down your next second-hand treasure, consider this your official invitation to join the cycle. Pre-loved is officially the new black!

And once you've found that perfect piece, you'll want to keep it looking its best for years to come. If you're keen to give your favourite finds some extra TLC, our natural stain remover alternatives are a natural and gentle option to explore whenever you need them.

For more feel good stories, you can pick from so many others here.

Happy Friday,
Ellie xo

Frequently Asked Questions

When is National Recycling Week 2026?

National Recycling Week 2026 runs from 9 to 15 November. Established by Planet Ark in 1996, it is held in the second week of November each year, and 2026 marks its 30th anniversary.

What is the theme of National Recycling Week 2026?

The 2026 theme is "Join the Cycle". It encourages Australians to keep reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling at home and in their communities.

What is the Vinnies ReWear It collection?

ReWear It is a curated collection from Vinnies NSW made entirely from clothing donated to Vinnies stores. It was launched for National Recycling Week to showcase the quality, style and longevity of pre-loved fashion.

Where can I buy the Vinnies ReWear It collection?

The ReWear It collection is sold online through Vinnies Finds, the online shop Vinnies NSW runs from a warehouse in Stanmore, which adds hundreds of new pieces every day.

How much clothing ends up in landfill in Australia?

According to the Australia Institute, more than 200,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfill in Australia each year. Australians buy an average of 56 new clothing items a year.