Creating meaningful jobs and helping save the environment are all in a day’s work for Green Collect co-founder and proud Footscray local Sally Quinn.
What is your connection with Footscray?
Within a week of discovering Footscray, my partner, Darren, and I bought a house here – it was love at first sight. That was 20 years and four kids ago, and we still have that same feeling. As soon as we could, we created our work to also revolve around Footscray, and we love that so many parts of our life intersect in this amazing place.
What do you love most about living and working here? What would you change?
I love that Footscray has a lived-in feel. Unlike a lot of suburbs, it’s full of people walking, riding, turning up and sharing life.
If I could change anything, I would want all people to have access to the many opportunities of the west, from housing to employment to art, and the deep sense of belonging I feel. That’s part of our passion and aim in bringing Green Collect to Footscray. In our workplaces, all people are valued and given the opportunity to be part of working together for a more sustainable planet.
Do you have a favourite place to spend time?
I love walking down the street and into the heart of Footscray. There’s always some little surprise to come across or person to meet that makes me smile. I’m hoping the mall redevelopment creates a beautiful and welcoming place where people from all ages and walks of life can be together, hang out and enjoy the vibe.
What is Green Collect and how did it start?
After working with communities who were excluded from work, due to barriers such as homelessness and refugee experiences, I wanted to create a workplace that prioritised and valued these communities, and the skills and passion that all people have.
At the same time, Darren and I kept seeing skips in the city full of good and usable resources, and we put together the idea to create a resource recovery enterprise that prioritised employment and training for people experiencing disadvantage. We were interested in social enterprise and received government, corporate and community support to start Green Collect just over 10 years ago.
What are its most rewarding aspects?
It can often be overwhelming when we look at all the stuff that is so easily discarded, but it feels pretty good when we occasionally step back and see the tonnes and tonnes of resources that have been saved from landfill because of Green Collect’s efforts.
We’re proud of the solutions we find for hard to recycle materials like the 55,000 binder folders we collect from offices each year. Our upcycled notebook range is a great example of what can be done with products that have been thrown away.
What are some of the most unusual things that have turned up in your collections?
Our collection service never fails to surprise and entertain. We get pots and pans, some still with last night’s dinner; props from TV including fake autopsy reports, and entire contents from corporate offices complete with workplace awards and plaques of recognition.
The massive amount of unused and perfect stationery we collect is unbelievable – but reflects the way we over-consume and create waste.
What’s something people may be surprised to learn about you?
When I was in primary school I entered my Silkie Bantam chicken (called Silky) in the Royal Melbourne Show. We won 2nd Prize, however I try not to brag too much about it.
■ Visit Green Collect at 71 Anderson Street, Yarraville or 1/75a Ashley Street, Braybrook.
More details: www.greencollect.org
