Repurposing for Resilience Eurobodalla

Changemakers in Circular Economy Innovation and Community Empowerment

Repurposing for Resilience Eurobodalla (RfR) is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation committed to reducing waste and advancing circular economy principles throughout the Eurobodalla region.

RfR established Australia’s first Community Solar Reuse Centre at the Moruya Waste Transfer Station. Entirely off-grid and built from repurposed materials, this unique facility is run by dedicated volunteers and stands as a powerful demonstration of how discarded resources can be transformed into valuable community assets.

At the core of RfR’s mission is the recovery and testing of used solar panels and related industry waste. Through a rigorous assessment and testing process, panels are either allocated for reuse or creatively repurposed into new, functional items. To date, RfR has diverted over 2,800 solar panels from landfill and interstate recycling streams—saving the Shire an estimated $28,000 in disposal costs, while delivering affordable renewable energy solutions to the local community.

Rising as changemakers in the region, RfR leads with practical, hands-on innovation. Their projects are not only visionary—they work. From bringing electrical trade training to the NSW South Coast, to building a community-access solar trailer and delivering low-cost workshops, RfR is helping residents gain the skills and confidence needed for a more resilient future.

To support and inform the community, RfR also provides a free weekly drop-in information service for members, offering guidance and advice on all things solar—from reuse and repair to installation and energy efficiency.

Their latest initiative, the Plate Forward project, features a mobile wash trailer designed for festivals and events—an innovative response to the problem of single-use waste that supports sustainable public gatherings.

RfR collaborates regularly with Eurobodalla Shire Council and the Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance, championing sustainability, environmental education, and community resilience. Through their practical, forward-thinking approach, RfR is helping to shape a stronger, more circular future—locally led and locally empowered.

To be part of the solution or learn more, visit www.rfreurobodalla.com.au