The first bulk recycling depot in southern Tasmania has opened, giving locals a drive-through spot to cash in drink containers for 10-cent refunds – all while supporting jobs for people with disability.
Social Enterprise, Employment and Diversity (SEED) is running the new Recycle Rewards depot on Hornby Road in Goodwood.
The depot takes large loads of eligible containers and offers refunds as cash, bank transfers or charity donations.
It is a joint effort between TOMRA Cleanaway and SEED, with the social enterprise using the site to create meaningful work and training opportunities for Tasmanians with disability.
“This collaboration with SEED is a terrific example of the extended community benefit potential of Tasmania’s container refund scheme,” said TasRecycle CEO Ken Roughley.
“[The depot] provides employment, training and fundraising opportunities for people with disability, all while creating clean streams of recycling and helping keep our beautiful state in a beautiful state.”
Since the Recycle Rewards scheme launched on May 1, more than 12 million containers have been processed, with southern Tasmania responsible for over six million returns so far.
Claremont Plaza remains one of the busiest collection points, closely followed by Cove Hill in Bridgewater.
Aluminium cans make up 63% of all returns, with plastic at 21% and glass at 14%.
TOMRA Cleanaway CEO James Dorney praised Tasmanians for getting behind the scheme, describing the community’s response as “nothing short of exceptional”.
NEXUS CEO Mark Jessop said the new Goodwood depot had already created training and job opportunities, while helping the organisation build connections with businesses and local groups.
“We are very excited to see what happens next now that we are officially open,” he said.
The depot is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 12pm on Saturdays.
