February 8, 2022

New op shop with a focus on sustainability opens at UOW Wollongong

UOW Pulse partners with Green Connect to provide an op shop and community education hub on campus

A new op shop opening at the University of Wollongong (UOW) will offer the UOW community an ethical and more sustainable way to shop on campus.

The op shop is a partnership between UOW Pulse and local social enterprise Green Connect, and will open its doors for the first time on Monday 21 February when the campus is set to come to life as students and staff welcome in the new academic year during UOW’s inaugural Campus Fest.

“UOW Pulse is excited to partner with Green Connect and can’t wait to bring this exciting new service to students,” UOW Pulse Chief Executive Alf Maccioni said.

The new op shop selling good-quality, pre-loved clothing and household items will be the second op shop in the Illawarra for the award-winning social enterprise Green Connect.

“We’re really excited to be connecting with the UOW community in this new space and we can’t wait to share ideas on how we can create a more sustainable future together,” Green Connect General Manager Kylie Flament said. 

Green Connect’s op shop in Unanderra has more than 47 different waste streams to reduce waste going to landfill in an industry that is often swamped by unusable donations. 

“Op shopping is great for people, the planet and your wallet – there is no downside,” Ms Flament said.

“This space will be more than just an op shop, we also want it to be a safe place for students and staff to drop in and have a chat whenever they need to.”

Green Connect are encouraging the UOW community to get involved in the new space and are currently looking for volunteers to work in the new op shop.

“We’d love to hear from the UOW community about what they want to see in the shop and how they want it to feel. People can come and have a chat to us in the shop or reach out by phone, email or social media,” Ms Flament said.

The op shop will be open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, located in Building 11, next to the pharmacy.

About Green Connect

Green Connect creates jobs and employment pathways for young people and former refugees in work that helps the planet and the community. 

Last financial year it employed 137 people and diverted 157 tonnes of waste from landfill through its farm, op shop, zero waste services, and staffing solutions work.