Leading Change: How Social Enterprise Can Power a Greener and More Inclusive Future

At Electrical Recycling Australia and Bounce Back Mattress Recycling, we believe that every item discarded by society holds the potential to create something better - for the environment and for people. Each mattress collected and every electronic item processed is part of a larger vision: reducing waste while opening doors to meaningful employment. We are committed to transforming end-of-life products into new opportunities and providing stable, purpose driven jobs for people with disability.

This is a dual mission. We are committed not only to protecting the environment but also to delivering long term social impact. This combination of goals is what drives everything we do.

Australia produces a significant amount of waste every year. Mattresses and electrical goods are among the most difficult types of waste to manage. Mattresses are bulky and take up valuable space in landfill. They are often dumped illegally, contributing to environmental degradation and public health risks.

In South Australia, there is no legislation to prevent mattresses going to landfill and unfortunately over 85%, which equates to 110,500 mattresses or 4,751,500 kilograms, ends up in landfill either as a whole mattress or shredded just to remove the steel.

You can see the gap that we still have and encourage all South Australians to get their unwanted mattresses to our Ottoway recycling hub, in Adelaide’s north-western suburbs.

At Bounce Back Mattress Recycling, we hand-recycle approximately 23,500 mattresses each year, to achieve a 90% recovery of materials, including foam, timber and steel. These are recycled into products such as carpet underlay, kindling or compost and new raw steel. Obviously a much better outcome that sending mattresses to landfill!

Electrical items present a different kind of challenge. Many contain valuable materials that can be recovered, but if handled improperly, they can pose environmental and health hazards.

Electronic Recycling Australia is proud to deliver recycling rates well above the current national requirements set by the NTCRS (National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme), which enable us to divert on average over 3.6 million kilograms of e-waste from landfill a year. This saves approximately 64.3 million kilograms of CO2 greenhouse gas emissions.

Electronic waste contains copper, aluminium, and other materials that can be extracted and reintroduced into manufacturing. What cannot be recovered is managed responsibly to avoid environmental harm.

Our skill technicians also test and refurb electronics, to resell and again contribute to the circular economy.

But recycling is only part of our story.

Electronic Recycling Australia and Bounce Back Mattress Recycling are part of Bedford Group. Many of our team members are people with disability who experience barriers to entering or remaining in the workforce. We provide a supportive environment where people can develop skills, grow in confidence, and make a real difference to the community and environment.

The work we do requires attention to detail, collaboration, and commitment. Our team rises to the challenge every single day. You can see the pride in their work, whether they are sorting steel and foam or carefully refurbishing a laptop, they know how important their work is.

With the right training, support, and respect, our team members consistently produce high quality work. Their success proves that inclusive employment is not just possible, it is powerful, sustainable, and necessary.

You can read about Jack’s story here. Jack is one of our refurb technicians.

There is increasing recognition that social enterprises like ours are leading the way toward a more sustainable and inclusive future. We are proud to be part of the circular economy, where waste is reduced and resources are reused.

At the same time, we are showing what inclusive employment can achieve. It strengthens local communities, reduces reliance on support systems, and builds a sense of dignity and pride for people who often experience barriers to employment.

There is so much opportunity to do better by the environment and the community if we work together. When we care for our environment and our people in a united way, we create stronger, more resilient communities.

There are several ways that you can contribute to our cause.

• Drop off your e-waste and unwanted mattresses to 301 Grand Junction Road, Ottoway. There is a $40 fee for dismantling mattresses (a very competitive price!) and all e-waste is free to recycle except fridges and freezers, which are $20 for degassing. We are open for drop-offs 8.00am to 2.00pm Monday to Friday and 7.00am to 2.00pm the last Saturday of every month.

• Every item of recycling we receive supports employment opportunities for people with disability.

• Buy refurbished electronics here.

• Book a group tour of our Ottoway Recycling Hub for your business, community or school by emailing info@erecyclingaustralia.com.au.

• Spread the word! We would love for more South Australians to understand how they can be part of creating environmental and social impact.

• Call or message me on LinkedIn to discuss how your business or organisation can partner with us: 0456 571 485.

Together, let’s create a greener, more inclusive South Australia.