How social enterprise helps transform waste to opportunities (#WASTE2WAGES)

RRA Noosa operates on the traditional lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people. Doonan, near Noosaville is home to the operations, in traditional aboriginal culture it is said to be the place where salt and freshwater meet.  

Kyall Parris-Smith is a young bloke with big dreams. He doesn’t let what others may see as barriers get in his way. He joined the Resource Recovery Australia Noosa team this year. Kyall started with us on a community service order in mid 2021. His hard work and appreciation for the opportunity were immediately apparent and he was offered paid work in September 2021.  

Kyall said, “Even when I was doing my community service, I really enjoyed waking up in the morning and coming here. I got to learn new things and to talk to other people here. I always love it. When I found out that I had got the job, I was stoked. They’ve given me this opportunity to get myself back up. I think that is amazing of RRA.” 

Facing multiple and complex barriers to employment his whole life, he explains, “I’m pretty bad at socialising. I feel this is the first time that I can come to work and feel like I have bit of a team. We appreciate each other here.”  

Reviva Noosa Manager Mitchell McIntyre said, “Kyall was doing community service on the weekends. He showed great work ethic, commitment and has put in the effort to turn his life around.”   

The future is looking bright for him as he continues to learn and grow in his role.  Since joining the RRA team Kyall has worked in customer service, merchandising and pricing at the Reviva Noosa reuse shop. He has had the opportunity to care for Country, diverting waste from landfill by recycling mattresses and processing expanded polystyrene as part of a trial with Noosa Shire Council.  

Together with his RRA Noosa teammates, Kyall has helped to divert over 7,000 mattresses from landfill and over 350 tonnes of waste from landfill for reuse.  

Kyall’s skill development and confidence have grown dramatically since he joined our team. In late 2021, he shared his skills from his carpentry apprenticeship with our community as part of a Tinkerage reuse workshop building furniture from pallets. RRA’s development pathway will see Kyall secure his test and tag certification, first aid and forklift ticket over the coming year.  

The employment and training opportunities that Kyall and all RRA team members enjoy are made possible by the support of our local government partners, particularly Noosa Shire Council.