From its inception as an old tip, anything that can be re-made into something else of use usually is at CERES.

Food, vegetable and human waste are all turned into rich compost for the gardens, while CERES worm farms are made from re-fitted wheelie bins, bought from factory seconds.

Bathtubs in the Honey lane Market gardens form a row of solid compost bins for all the farm vegie scraps and are reliably rodent-free.

The CERES recycle yard collects leftover materials and other scrap from a local skip company, and is the repository for all materials to be used around site. Rather than going to landfill, timber, metal and rubber scraps are all stored and recycled on other construction projects or repairs.

The new CERES Van Raay Centre is partly furnished with two entire bowling alleys from the old Northcote Bowl and bought from the demolisher for two slabs of Toohey's extra dry. Today the bowling alleys serve as work desks for CERES staff. “There was no way I was going to let American rock maple go to landfill,” says CERES Site Manager Nick Curmi.