The initial shutdown was caused by the discovery of several asbestos tiles dumped in a yellow bin during one of Council’s collections early this month. One household is believed to be the source of this contamination, possibly due to asbestos tiles used in a bathroom or laundry.

During the cleanup, one of Council’s waste collection vehicles was out of action while a specialist was brought into check the site to ensure that the facility was safe for staff to return to work.

Some staff were redeployed at Endeavour Industries’ Oxley St premises which houses both the commercial laundry business and the small businesses support operation.

“We are always focussed on our staff’s safety,” Endeavour Industries chairman Geoff Kettle said.

“Assisted employees at Endeavour Industries are some of the community’s most vulnerable people.”

Endeavour Industries provides regular and safe employment for disabled people. This not-for-profit organisation has about 28 staff who work at the Goulburn recycling facility. 

“Asbestos contamination is becoming a growing problem which requires us to put in place new procedures and policies. This costs us money which could be better spent on finding suitable employment for disabled people,” Mr Kettle said.

Discussions are underway between Endeavour Industries and Council to run a recycling education campaign.