Mildura Rural City Council and the Christie Centre have come together to officially celebrate the new AroundAgain receivals station at Mildura Landfill today.
The $1 million facility will be opening to the public in early November, providing a safer, more convenient area for locals to donate second hand goods for resale, ultimately diverting dozens of tonnes of waste from landfill and creating accessible work opportunities for people of all abilities.
Built at the landfill entrance on Scherger Drive, the new receivals station will allow people to drop off used goods without having to drive into the landfill and over the weighbridge. The new building encompasses a drive-through drop-off area, a large sorting, storage and restoration section, and a new office and air-conditioned staff room. The Christie Centre also received Social Impact Investment for Sustainability funding from the state government, to put towards the internal fit out.
Councillor for Environment and Sustainability Jason Modica said the environment, landfill users, AroundAgain donors and customers, as well as Christie Centre participants would all benefit from the new facility.
"Not having to cross over the landfill weighbridge to drop off donations to AroundAgain will cut down on traffic congestion on site, particularly during busy periods such as Saturday mornings," Cr Modica said.
"Seeing the receivals station on their way into the landfill may also prompt people to consider whether some of the items they're disposing could be resold to someone else, which reduces the amount of waste going to landfill."
Cr Modica said the new receivals station was part of a long-running positive partnership between Council and the Christie Centre, which owns and manages AroundAgain as a social enterprise. This means profits are reinvested into AroundAgain to provide inclusive employment pathways for local people.
Christie Centre Executive Officer Florence Davidson said sustainability was one of the key outcomes of the new facility.
"AroundAgain operates on the basis of social and environmental benefit," Ms Davidson said.
"Currently about 25 people who have experienced disability or disadvantage are supported with training, employment and volunteering opportunities through AroundAgain.
AroundAgain was first opened in 2001, beginning as a household item collection and resale facility. Donated second hand goods are restored, repaired, repurposed and resold at an accessible price. Items unsuitable for resale are dismantled for parts and recycled accordingly.
"These unwanted items would normally be destined to clog up valuable landfill space, but instead, AroundAgain is helping divert more than 70 tonnes from landfill annually," Ms Davidson said.
"We really appreciate the community's ongoing support for AroundAgain and Council's decision to fund the building of this new facility. Together, we are all working to create better outcomes for our community and our environment."
Construction of the new AroundAgain receivals station was funded by Council, the Australian Federal Government and the Victorian State Government.
The new receivals station is expected to be operating and open to the public from early November. For operating hours and details of donated items accepted, visit aroundagain.com.au
