Some family photoshoots end with sandy toddlers, a wave dumping or the dog doing a runner. Sarah Skuta and her husband Mitch ended theirs with a business idea that would change their lives, and keep more than a million plastic bottle caps out of landfill.

It was 2023, and the family were strolling along the beach after a shoot when they couldn’t ignore the plastic litter scattered across the shoreline.

“We wondered, ‘What if this rubbish could be used for something else?’” Sarah recalls. That question sent them down what she describes as a rabbit hole of research into recycled plastics, circular economies, and waste repurposing.

One year later, Gardening on Country, a proudly First Nations, sustainable family business, was born.

From that lightbulb moment in the sand, Gardening on Country has grown into one of Australia’s most inspiring new eco-enterprises, already stocked in 50 Bunnings stores and 24 independent retailers across the country.

Building something meaningful

Like many great Aussie ventures, Gardening on Country began with a dream, pecifically, Mitch’s long-held desire to build something meaningful that could become a family legacy.

“When the idea for Gardening on Country came along, it just made sense,” Sarah says.

Turning the idea into reality, though, required the Skuta’s to put everything on the line. The couple bootstrapped the business, funding everything from the machinery to product development. They had to upskill fast, building relationships with suppliers and learning the ins and outs of recycled plastics manufacturing. Every decision had to align with their values: sustainability, practicality, cultural responsibility, and care for Country.

“What kept us going was our purpose,” Sarah says. “We’re driven by a passion to protect Country for future generations.”

And that purpose shows. Through their partnership with Lids 4 Kids in the ACT, the business has already repurposed around one million plastic bottle caps into durable, colourful garden tools.

The family behind the tools

Gardening on Country is a true three-person family operation: Mitch, Sarah, and Mitch’s mum, Tammie.

“Mitch leads manufacturing and product design,” Sarah explains. “I manage communications, marketing, and order coordination. Tammie supports operations and customer engagement.”

And when it’s market weekend? All hands on deck. “We all pitch in,” Sarah laughs. “It truly is a team effort.”

Working with family can be a minefield or a superpower…sometimes both in the same week. But Sarah says it’s taught them a lot about each other.

“Working side-by-side has shown us that when we set a goal, we back each other to get there,” she says. She’s especially proud of the way they push one another, even when it’s uncomfortable. “I’m always encouraging Mitch to step outside his comfort zone. From public speaking to showing up on social media.”

As for disagreements? Of course they happen.

“When stress is high or deadlines are tight, we take a break rather than push through,” she says. Space, perspective, and honest chats smooth things over. “We’re family first, business partners second.”

Creating a sustainable movement

For people new to Gardening on Country, Sarah has a simple explanation: “We create garden hand tools made entirely from recycled plastic bottle caps.”

Their lid-to-tool magic results in durable, colourful pieces: trowels, forks, weeders, and more. All are made from materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.

It’s sustainability with a side of practicality. It’s this blend of cultural values, environmental impact, and everyday usefulness that makes Gardening on Country stand out.

“As a proud First Nations business, our work is grounded in caring for Country,” Sarah says. “We’re turning discarded plastics into practical tools that help people grow their own plants, gardens, and food.”

Caring for Country is the foundation of everything they do.

Caring for Country’s big break

Every startup has a first big break. For Gardening on Country, it came in 2024 when The Diggers Club reached out.

“They wanted to stock our tools in their garden gift shops and feature them in their magazine ordering system,” Sarah says. “It was huge for us.”

The family had always looked up to The Diggers Club. Being recognised by them boosted their confidence and validated their mission, giving the courage to reach out to more suppliers.

Then came the big league moment: Bunnings.

Seeing their Womby hand trowel and Casso hand fork on shelves in 50 Victorian stores was a huge milestone for the brand.

“We’re incredibly proud to offer Bunnings customers a sustainable option,” Sarah says.

Sarah says for a small family business, these partnerships are game changers, raisning awareness and increasing sales.

“Making recycled, eco-friendly products more accessible to everyday gardeners is exactly what we set out to achieve and we can do that with Bunnings.”

Growing pains

Sustainability might be core to Gardening on Country, but so is realism. The toughest challenge so far? Balance.

“With two young children who aren’t yet at school, every week is a bit of a juggling act,” Sarah says. Markets often fall on weekends, childcare is tricky, and both parents still juggle other jobs.

“We’re grateful our kids get to see this journey firsthand,” she says. “They’re a huge part of our motivation and our why.”

Despite the chaos, the business continues to grow rapidly. From two hand tools in the early days, they now offer six tools, three accessories, and new designs launching this month. Wholesale partnerships have boomed too, 24 stockists across Australia and counting.

With demand rising, they’re now hunting for a commercial space.

“Our home workshop has officially outgrown our storage and machinery needs,” Sarah explains.

Giving back to the community

For the Skutas, part of being a sustainable business is about giving back to the community too.

Starting next year, Gardening on Country will launch school incursions and community education sessions focused on recycling, circular economies, and the transformation of post-consumer plastics.

“Our goal is to inspire curiosity,” Sarah says. “Especially in young people.”

Education is central to their mission: empowering the next generation to understand that waste isn’t waste at all, it’s a resource waiting for reinvention.

Hope, impact, and the next generation

More than anything, Sarah hopes Gardening on Country nudges customers towards more conscious choices.

“People are looking for ways to reduce waste,” she says.

“We want young people to see that recycling, upcycling, and reusing materials can lead to innovative, practical, and beautiful outcomes.”

Ultimately, the family wants to shift Australia’s mindset around waste: from “throwaway” to “resource.”

It’s a big mission, but one they all take seriously.

Australia’s Favourite Family Business

Being named a finalist in Australia’s Favourite Family Business 2025 was a huge moment for the team.

“As a relatively young business, being shortlisted among so many impressive family enterprises feels like a huge milestone,” Sarah says. “We’re thrilled to be recognised.”

The competition has provided an opportunity to amplify their message nationally.

“A lot of people still don’t realise that post-consumer plastics can be transformed into practical, everyday products,”she says.

Advice for other family businesses

If you’re thinking of starting a family business, Sarah has some wisdom: leap, but leap smart.“You won’t know what’s possible unless you’re willing to take the leap,” she says. Passion matters. It’ll keep you going when the wheels fall off. But planning matters too.

“Do your research, understand your numbers, and be clear on roles and responsibilities,” she adds. “Strong foundations make all the difference.”

Sarah suggests we should also never underestimate the power of the family business model. “Many of the most successful companies in this country started exactly that way. So back yourself, trust the process, and take the plunge.”

What’s next for Gardening on Country?

Sarah says the next 12 months will be big for the brand.

“We’re planning to expand our range of tools and accessories again next year,” Sarah says.

Several new designs are already in the pipeline. Their manufacturing volume will jump as their Bunnings supply expands. And new opportunities, including that long-awaited commercial space, are on the horizon.

It’s growth built on purpose, planning, and plain old hard yakka.

Leaving a legacy

At the heart of Gardening on Country is a simple idea: waste shouldn’t be wasted.

By transforming something as small and mundane as plastic bottle caps into tools that help everyday Aussies grow food, flowers, and native plants, the family is modelling what circularity looks like in practice.

“We’re motivated by the future and the role the next generation will play in protecting this Country,” Sarah says. “If we can help kick-start that journey, by showing what’s possible when innovation meets sustainability, then we’re doing our job.”

You can read more of the stories behind our Australia’s Favourite Family Business 2025 finalists here

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