Revolve Recycling Foundation is transforming lives by turning unwanted bikes into opportunities, delivering hundreds of refurbished bikes to children in remote communities across Australia.

Revolve Recycling was founded to address a critical gap in Australia: the lack of sustainable options for unwanted bikes and the need to provide children with access to cycling. Today, Revolve Recycling operates as two entities, a private company focused on recycling and refurbishing bikes, and a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to distributing bikes to children in need. Together, they are creating environmental and social change.

From Idea to Impact

With 350,000 bikes being discarded annually and one in four Australian children without access to a bike, Revolve Recycling recognised the potential to make a difference. By collecting, refurbishing, and redistributing hundreds of bikes through the Foundation so far, they ensure that bikes destined for landfill find a new home with children who need them most.

"It’s good for their health, it’s good for social interaction, for independence, for education... It’s a lot more than just a bike."

One of their standout current projects is a partnership with Chase and Grace Projects in Alice Springs. Together, they are establishing a hub to distribute refurbished bikes to remote Northern Territory communities. As part of this initiative, a shipping container filled with over 200 bikes has already arrived in Alice Springs. The bikes will be distributed to children and communities throughout the region, with Chase and Grace providing repair workshops and teaching kids essential maintenance skills.

 The repurposed shipping container will act as a permanent repair and maintenance centre, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the program. To make the container a vibrant and welcoming feature, a young graffiti artist from Sydney was commissioned to decorate it, highlighting the community-driven spirit of the initiative.

Guido Verbist explains, “The bikes provide opportunities for kids. Not just the freedom to ride but also the chance to learn practical skills, take responsibility, and even encourage regular school attendance.”

This partnership has been supported by an ongoing fundraiser run on the Australian Sports Foundation platform, which has raised over $20,000 to expand the project and bring more bikes to children in need.

This builds on a prior initiative from 2023, where the Revolve Recycling team drove a truckload of 110 bikes to seven remote communities, marking the start of their current program. This initial effort was designed to test the feasibility of a long-term program and establish local partnerships and was also supported through a fundraising project with the Australian Sports Foundation.

Storytelling

Telling a compelling story is at the heart of Revolve Recycling’s success. The organisation focuses on making the issue relatable and demonstrating the tangible impact of their work. They share powerful statistics, such as the fact that one in four children lack access to a bike, alongside the stories of children and communities transformed by receiving one. 

According to Guido Verbist, “You need to focus on what is appealing and easy to share. What catches attention and tells your story effectively. Then stick to that, refining it step by step while staying on target, avoiding distractions or unnecessary directions.”

Guido also highlights the importance of creating a story that is memorable and easy to share. This approach ensures their messaging stays clear, focused, and impactful, resonating with both donors and the wider community.

 Their fundraising campaigns also include visual storytelling, showing images and videos of children receiving bikes or using them in programs. By connecting their audience emotionally to the cause, they encourage donations and ongoing support.

Donor Relationships

Revolve Recycling places a strong emphasis on cultivating lasting relationships with their donors. This begins with timely thank-you messages, which Guido describes as “part of building a relationship that you have to do to keep them enthusiastic and interested.” 

They maintain engagement through newsletters that provide updates on the impact of donations, mixing stories of success with calls to action. This consistent communication keeps donors informed and makes them feel like integral parts of the program’s success.

One standout example is a donor who initially contributed $1,500 and later increased their support to an additional $15,000 after seeing the program’s positive impact. “We reached out to him and asked if he wanted to learn more. He said yes, and from there, we developed further relations and programs together,” Guido explained.

Additionally, Revolve Recycling recognises the importance of engaging with organisations that align with their mission. They recently secured a grant from the Heart Foundation, which shares their goal of improving community health and wellbeing through increased access to cycling. These partnerships highlight the broader benefits of their work, including promoting physical activity and fostering healthier lifestyles. 

Engagement

Revolve Recycling’s ability to form strong partnerships has been a cornerstone of their success. Collaborations with organisations like Chase and Grace Projects in the Northern Territory ensure that bikes are distributed effectively and sustainably. Local partners help facilitate community ownership and maintenance of the bikes, providing tools and training to ensure long-term use.

 Guido highlights the importance of these relationships: “We don’t just want to give them and then not bother. It’s about preparing them for the environment they will be used in and making sure there’s someone on the ground to oversee their use.” 

Their partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation has also allowed them to tap into a larger donor base, enhancing credibility and reach. Additionally, Revolve Recycling is working with councils and other stakeholders to organise bike collection events, further embedding their program in local communities.

Overcoming Challenges

Implementing large-scale programs in remote areas is no easy task. The team at Revolve Recycling has faced challenges such as bikes going missing in community settings and adapting bikes for rugged environments. For instance, they now use thorn-proof tubes and double-layer tyres to withstand the harsh Northern Territory terrain.

Despite these hurdles, the team’s determination has paid off, with more communities requesting bikes and partnerships continuing to grow.

With the help of the ASF platform, Revolve Recycling is planning to scale up their operations and increase bike distribution to 1,000 bikes annually. The foundation is also exploring innovative models like "buy one, give one" programs to create sustainable income streams and expand their impact.

To support Revolve Recycling’s Bikes for Kids initiative and help bring bikes to children in need, visit their project on the Australian Sports Foundation platform: https://asf.org.au/projects/revolve-recycling-foundation/500-bikes-for-kids