Funded project – Establishing HOMEcycle Smart Centre feasibility study
SCR Group is exploring a unique resource recovery concept for the reuse and recycling of personal and household goods. The concept is to maximise the diversion of personal and household goods from landfill by providing a more effective platform to recover these goods compared to current practices and pathways.
Background
Founded in 2008, Southern Cross Recycling Group (SCRG) is Australia's largest company specialising in the recovery of unwanted clothing, assorted goods, electrical goods, and homewares. SRCG divert more than 25 million kilograms of material from landfills annually.
Items are given a second chance in local and global communities where they are most needed. SRCG focuses on maximising social and environmental impact.
Collaborating with Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) and social enterprises to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth. SRCG actively support Australian charities like Vinnie's, Lifeline, and Save The Children by repurchasing unsold clothing items from their stores.
The problem
There is a growing accumulation of waste entering landfills due to the following reasons:
- Disposal of reusable or recyclable products.
- Lack of community infrastructure for proper waste management.
- Absence of comprehensive facilities supporting a circular economy approach.
- Financial impact on councils and charities due to increased dumped rubbish and the rising overheads and costs for social enterprises.
The project
SCRG will investigate the feasibility of permanent ‘HOMEcycle Smart Centres’ which will receive, sort, test, repair, resell or recycle a variety of household, commercial and potentially industrial goods. The centre would provide recyclers and re-users of these goods a more cost effective and sustainable opportunity to recover and divert these goods from going to landfills. It would also provide a direct-to-consumer resale market.
The project will establish HOMEcycle Smart Centres at convenient and strategic locations in metropolitan and regional areas for the recovery of personal and household, commercial and potentially industrial goods.
Objectives
- Increase access to circular economy products and services for consumers through repurposing secondhand goods.
- Reduce household goods from going to landfill and other waste destinations by avoiding 40,000 tonnes of waste.
- Create 150 long terms jobs and 40 short-term jobs for Victoria, including training and upskilling of employees.
Project progress
| Key deliverables | Status |
|---|---|
| Research and development, including materials identification and quantification. Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and develop options for business model. | Complete |
| Stakeholder engagement and evaluation, test business model and undertake gap analysis. Conduct consumer surveys and finalise business model. | In progress |
| Finalise business plan, develop marketing, education, and communications. Jobs development and training, material sourcing and supply agreements. Prepare implementation plan and road map for final report. |
Challenges
Lack of infrastructure for the community to dispose of products for reuse, repurpose, and recycling
The absence of accessible and well-equipped facilities hinders individuals from effectively disposing of their items in a responsible manner. The lack of designated collection points and recycling centres limit the convenience and accessibility of recycling and repurposing options for the community.
Lack of services and facilities for commercial and industrial partnerships
The absence of specialised facilities and services tailored to meet the unique requirements of businesses restrict their ability to efficiently manage and divert their waste streams toward reuse, repurposing, and recycling.
Minimal meaningful data exists to identify products dropped off that could be linked to reuse and product stewardship programs
The limited availability of comprehensive and accurate data hampers efforts to identify and track products that have the potential to be reused or incorporated into product stewardship initiatives. Without detailed information on the types and quantities of materials being discarded, it becomes challenging to develop targeted strategies and implement effective programs to maximize resource recovery and reduce waste generation.
