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 8 August 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
- Charity auction hosted by the Buy Back Shop - proceeds of the auction will be donated to the event charity partners
- 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.
Exciting Workshops at the 2026 Trash to Treasure Event
The 2026 workshop program is packed with creative, hands-on sessions that celebrate reuse, repair, and rethinking waste.
Here's what we have coming up:
- Cairns Bike Repairs – Learn simple bike repairs and maintenance tips
- Precious Plastic FNQ – Bottle top lid & small item reuse and recycling demonstrations
- Breathe and Weave – Basket weaving using green waste
- Fabric Rescue Revolution – Sewing and textile reuse demonstrations
- Green Space Our Place – Discover composting and sustainable gardening tips
- Carton Creations with Mikky - Turn egg cartons into amazing works of art
- Magic Wand Making - Create your own magical wand
- Pallet to Purpose - Four DIY stations showcasing how reclaimed wooden pallets are transformed into useful creations
To keep the fun going throughout the day, there will be plenty of opportunities to get your hands on some amazing prizes! See below for what's up for grabs.
Workshop Passport Major Prize
Quicksilver Group Green Island Family Pass valued at $287.00
Claw Machine Guessing Game
Harvey Norman voucher values at $100.00
Lucky Door Raffles 1, 2 & 3
Family Activity Pack (iPlay Cairns Family Pack, Inflatable Kingdom all ages passes x2, Baskin Robbins vouchers x2) valued at $175.00
Lucky Door Raffle 4
CPAC / MMP / Tanks Art Centre tickets x4 from your choice of selected shows
To find out when raffles are being drawn, and what other fun things we have in store, check out the 2026 event program!
Thank you to our prize donors:
Last Updated: 31 July 2026
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