Congratulations to our social enterprise, SEED on reaching the milestone of ten million containers processed in its first year at the SEED Recycle Rewards Depot Goodwood.
Alongside SEED’s cleaning, gardening, retail, and tagging and testing services, the Recycle Rewards Depot Goodwood has provided people with disability with training and employment opportunities at award wages since opening its doors in July last year.
SEED Depot Manager Karl Gregory said the 10 million milestone reflects strong and ongoing community support for both the depot and SEED’s mission of providing meaningful training and employment opportunities for people with disability.
“The support from day one has been incredible,” Mr Gregory said.
“We are very grateful to the community members, local businesses and groups who continue to support the depot, whether through container drop-offs or our Container Collection Service,” he said.
“Just as important is what this has created for our team. We are seeing our staff gain skills, grow in confidence and move towards open employment, which is what SEED is all about.”
One team member who is thriving in their new role at the depot is Arthur, who has worked at the depot since day one.
With experience working across SEED’s gardening and cleaning teams, Arthur was keen to build his customer service skills. Over the past year, he has grown into a confident and highly skilled team member operating machinery, engaging with customers, and even upskilling to gain his forklift licence.
“I like my work at the depot. It’s giving me opportunities to improve, build my confidence and independence every day,” Arthur said.
“We see a lot of containers come through every day, but now hearing it’s hit 10 million makes you realise how huge it actually is. It feels so good knowing I have played a part in reaching 10 million,” he said.
His journey with the depot has also included some big personal milestones. In the lead-up to the launch, Arthur travelled interstate for training marking his first time leaving Tasmania and his first ever flight!
Since then, Arthur has gone from strength to strength, completing training with network operator TOMRA Cleanaway and the rest of the SEED team, and he is now working towards gaining open employment.
Thank you to community members, local businesses and groups for helping us to reach this milestone and continue to provide meaningful work and training opportunities to people with disability.
Recycle Rewards Depot Goodwood is an undercover, drive thru depot open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, and Saturday from 10am to 2pm at the end of Hornby Road.
For more information about SEED’s Recycle Rewards Depot, please click here.