Excursion to the South Hobart Tip Shop and Huonville Recycle Rewards

This week our class had an exciting excursion exploring recycling, reusing and reducing waste.

At the South Hobart Tip Shop, we learned how donations are processed and how the team collects goods from the tip face. We discovered that they have a research team who identify valuable items—sometimes returning mistaken donations to families, selling collectables, or placing items in the shop. We were amazed to see how building supplies are sorted for reuse and how electronics are processed. Did you know there is more gold found in old electronics than in the ground waiting to be mined?

We also discovered the ‘free’ items out the front – regularly topped up by the staff to keep goods out of landfill. With a little cleaning and imagination they are useable again.

We also enjoyed a treasure hunt, where each student had $3 to spend on an item they could reuse, recycle, or upcycle. Back at school, we have been value-adding to these items in creative ways.

Our visit continued at the Huonville Recycle Rewards scheme, where we had a go at recycling bottles and cans—and made $11.10! Tom also collected new bins, ready to be introduced next term as we become a school committed to recycling and separating our rubbish.

It was a fun and eye-opening day that inspired us to think more carefully about waste, recycling and sustainability.