Trash to Treasure

The Cairns community is invited to the 2026 Trash to Treasure event—a fun filled celebration of waste reuse, landfill reduction and sustainability!

Join us Saturday, August 8th from 9am until 1pm at the Buy Back Shop in Portsmith for a day packed with live entertainment, hands-on workshops, and local market stalls. Discover clever ways to repurpose, upcycle and reuse everyday items, and don’t miss the thrilling finale of the Reuse, Rethink, Repurpose Competition, where local schools and early learning centres showcase their amazing waste-to-wonder creations.

Proudly hosted by Cairns Regional Council, Trash to Treasure is a free community event celebrating waste education, reduction, and a circular future for all.

There’s something for everyone:

Delicious food and coffee vans
Community BBQ – gold coin donations go to a nominated local charity
Live entertainment and free raffle draws for attendees and voters in the School/ELC competition
Specials and incredible finds at the Council Buy Back Shop
Local market stalls promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling
Interactive workshops on repair, reuse, and upcycling – fun for all ages
Award presentation for the “Reuse, Rethink, Repurpose” School and Early Learning Centre Competition

Be inspired by clever ideas that turn trash into treasure – and take home practical ways to reduce waste to landfill.

Workshops from Last Year's event:

Cairns Bike Repairs – Learn simple bike repairs and maintenance tips
Precious Plastic FNQ – Bottle top lid & small item reuse and recycling demonstrations
Junk Weavers – Weaving magic with soft plastics
Breathe and Weave – Basket weaving using green waste
Pirate Puppets – Create your own puppet using reused fabric – fun for all ages!
Zine Workshop – Make your own mini-book using reused paper
Fabric Rescue Revolution – Sewing and textile reuse demonstrations
She Shed – Make your own bangles using upcycled materials
What’s the Drill? – Build your own riveting recycled robot (great for adults and kids!)
Green Space Our Place – Discover composting and sustainable gardening tips

Prize	Draw
1 x $10 voucher and 2 x $20 voucher to spend at the Buy Back Shop	Lucky draw
Family pass to Sugarworld	Lucky draw
One adult and one child entry into Cairns Aquarium	Lucky draw
$100 voucher for Harvey Norman	Lucky draw
One Adult pass to Fitzroy Island & One Adult pass to Green Island	Lucky draw
Double pass to a performance at CPAC or Tanks Arts Centre	Lucky draw
1 x $10 voucher and 1 x $20 voucher to spend at Cazalys	Lucky draw
2 Flow Rider vouchers at Tobruk Pool	Lucky draw
4 x All ages entry to Inflatable Kingdom
4 x Play packs at iPlay	Lucky draw and Workshop passport competition
20 x Event Cinema tickets	School competition
20 x Taipans tickets	School competition
30 x Northern Pride tickets	School competition
3 lots of $1000 cash	School competition