Waste to wages

A documentary titled ‘Waste to Wages’ demonstrates that a growing number of councils and communities around Australia are establishing new community recycling enterprises that are sustainable and deal with local waste problems. The documentary features three enterprises, in Queensland, NSW and Tasmania, that have demonstrated sustainability over many years of operation.

Community Recycling Network (CRN) Australia Secretary Peter Cox said the documentary also includes details on a study undertaken by Queensland University of Technology which estimates that community recycling enterprises divert 152,000 tonnes of waste each year, employ 1500 people and contribute over $56 million to regional economies.

“Australians produce over 53 million tonnes of waste each year,” said Cox. “At the same time we have the highest-ever number of people unemployed or underemployed, being over two million, and only half of the 2.2 million working-aged Australians with a disability were employed.

“What is different about community recycling enterprises is that they employ the very people who are in need of support and the whole community benefits with reduced waste costs, less welfare payments and new employees regain their independence and purpose in life.“

“All levels of government need to see waste in terms of an economic opportunity,” said Cox. “Every town with a population of over 10,000 people could sustain a recycling enterprise ... we all have the responsibility to be resourceful.”

The documentary was funded by The Ian Potter Foundation and can be seen at www.communityrecycling.com.au.