How partnering with local government helps us care for people and planet

Creating jobs that care for people and planet is at the core of all of Community Resources operations. For Resource Recovery Australia, this means partnering with councils, contractors, community organisations and the wider community to transform #Waste2Wages. 

For over 30 years, RRA has worked with local government to reduce waste to landfill, create employment and training opportunities for people experiencing barriers to work and connect with communities.  

This year, RRA has worked with nine councils and one contract partner, to serve over 110,000 community members in its reuse shops and over 690,000 customers across its weighbridge operations. Together we’ve diverted 9,270 tonnes of waste from landfill for reuse and recycling. 

General Manager Matt Curtis explained, “Councils choose to work with RRA because of our proven track record of strong waste diversion and job opportunities for locals experiencing barriers to work.”  

“Councils and partners have come to trust us to provide reuse shops that are welcoming and appealing for the whole community, encouraging every individual to take part in a circular economy.” 

Shellharbour City Council Waste Contracts Manager, Ryan Stirling said, “RRA is great for the community. It provides a facility for the community to be able to drop off their goods that would otherwise go to landfill. RRA captures a lot of goods from our Transfer Station that people are disposing of and then bring it back to the shop to provide for sale for other members of the community.” 

For RRA’s partners waste diversion and safe operations are only the beginning, the social and community benefits of working with the social enterprise set the organisation apart.  

Working across largely regional areas, RRA embraces local communities, donating to football clubs, community groups and partnering with other not-for-profits to build community benefits.  

RRA also provides a range of community engagement opportunities in The Tinkerage, from weekly repair and reuse drop-in sessions to full-day workshops upskilling the community in reuse and repair. The Green, a community garden space encourages the whole community to get involved in propagation and gardening, engaging with RRA in a welcoming, calming environment.   

“The Tinkerage is a great little workshop. It teaches the community skills and encourages people to reuse and repurpose things, rather than dispose of them. They can build something they can be proud of,” Mr Stirling said.  

“RRA’s results are a team effort. With the support of our talented and hardworking team, our partners, and the communities, great things are possible. We look forward to a future of strong relationships with communities and a more circular economy that values our environment,” GM Matt Curtis said.