An innovative environmentally and socially responsible Melbourne-based company is doing great things in the world of recycling. It also provides a useful mechanism for GECA licensees to meet take-back requirements or product stewardship programs in order to acquire a GECA licence.
Using products that would otherwise end up in landfill, Green Collect utilises one man’s trash to create another man’s treasure.
Materials are carefully collected, sorted, disassembled and remade by hand by people re-entering work after long periods of unemployment or homelessness. Reclaimed fabric products are made by women from refugee backgrounds who have partnered with Green Collect in new income generating enterprises.
Items that are recycled include DVDs, CDs, bottle tops, batteries, corks and small electrical items such as old keyboards and mice, amongst other things. Green Collect has become expert in the field of taking old folders and letterheads and recycling them to create bound A5 journals as well as taking apart old computer keyboards and skilfully turning them into keyboard magnets.
These upcycled products reflect excellence in environmental design and help reduce consumption of raw materials, as well as energy, water and transportation used in manufacturing. Recycling items through Green Collect may also enable GECA licensees to meet take-back requirements or product stewardship programs in order to acquire a GECA licence.
