Endeavour Industries Goulburn CEO Margaret Clarke described the Return and Earn in Goulburn as “disappointing”, following the lack of inclusion by national waste management service Cleanaway following the rollout.
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According to Ms Clarke, Endeavour Industries were in negotiations with Cleanaway to organise the transport of bottles in the lead up to the machine’s erection in early December.
“We were told we were going be involved in February when the machines come in,” she said.
“In the weeks leading up to December I called again, but did not receive any return call – next thing, the machines are in.”
A spokesperson for Cleanaway told the Goulburn Post only “preliminary discussions” were held with Endeavour Industries prior to the rollout and “no agreement was achieved”.
Ms Clarke maintains she received verbal confirmation from Cleanaway ACT/NSW Regional Manager David Moon that there would be some sort of local involvement.
The spokesperson did not respond to questions by the Goulburn Post as to why Endeavour Industries’ involvement was terminated and why Ms Clarke is yet to receive a call back.
Ms Clarke admitted the new machines were already “doing damage to the business”. The Sinclaire Street site has had to close off their drop-off area on the weekend due to the theft of bottles from the yard.
“Unfortunately people are breaking in and pinching bottles. I once found a woman up to her knees in broken glass. People are even taking them out of recycling bins,” she said.
“This will impact our viability, I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. I don’t think there has been any thought in the rollout. We’ve been approved by the Environment Protection Authority, but Cleanaway have the account.”
Endeavour Industries employs 72 people, thirty of which work in recycling.