Sydney's oddest shops - bric-a-brac

Reverse Garbage

Reverse Garbage, an overcrowded warehouse in Marrickville’s Addison Road Centre, is Sydney’s reuse institution. Established in 1974 by a collective of teachers looking for cheap classroom materials and a means to divert industrial discards from landfill, Reverse Garbage now offers recycled DIY, costume and art materials for crafty and environmentally conscious shoppers. “We get a huge range of people in, including home renovators, designers, artists and students, because our products are so varied,” explains general manager Narelle Mantle. “We’ve got everything from garden pavers to clothing, test tubes and sheets of canvas.” Every visit to Reverse Garbage is different and depends entirely on what has been donated that week. “A lot of the stock is industrial overruns and offcuts,” says Mantle. “A lot comes from film and set design, and Mardi Gras is a big donor.” Planning a backyard Midsummer celebration? A sack full of ribbons and a length of plastic tubing will only set you back about $30 - voilà, DIY maypole. Or, perhaps you need a roll of plastic for a photo shoot or Dexter-style vigilante mission ($20), or a mannequin for use as a quirky new housemate ($40). The strangest thing that Mantle has seen donated? “We’ve had a giant Sphinx head, skeletons, and even a vacuum-cleaner bag full of dust,” she laughs. “Actually, St Vincent’s hospital called the other day to say they wanted to donate an organ - luckily they were talking about the musical kind.” 8/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville 2204. (02 9569 3132). Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pm.

The Bower

This reuse and restoration centre has beautifully restored antiques and raw household materials. 34/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville 2204. (02 9568 6280).

Terrace House Factory

A warehouse filled to the brim with Victorian, Federation and Edwardian windows, handles, cornices and fencing. 304-308 Harris St, Ultimo 2007. (02 9660 6768).

$6 a Kilo

Rifle through huge crates of second-hand clothes for vintage gems and purchase your selections by the kilo. 105 Carlton Cr, Summer Hill 2130. (02 9798 8206).

Daiso Japan

More than 10,000 different handy Japanese new product lines, each costing just $2.80. Shop G18-24, Mandarin Centre, 65 Albert Ave, Chatswood 2067. (02 9410 0665).