Eaglehawk Eco Recycle Shop Tour

The Eaglehawk Recycle Shop is a not for profit social enterprise and is governed by a voluntary Board of Management. It is not a Council operated business but Council provides the site for peppercorn rent as ERS reduces waste going to landfill and saves the Council and its ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

Wages and operating costs are paid from sales so it is important that the enterprise is conducted like any other business gaining as much income as possible to pay for increased running costs. ERS has to purchase all its own vehicles, machinery and equipment. ERS started back in 1994 when a small group of unemployed people were given access to scavenge at the landfill to recover items that could be resold with the aim of creating employment for themselves through these sales. It has been very successful with great community support. The story is told…