When it comes to donating money for worthwhile causes, the community-run Salamander Bay Recycling centre is earning a reputation as being one of the Port’s most prolific.
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Most recently the not-for-profit organisation has supported drought stricken farmers and One Mile Beach surf club, while its aluminum hair-foil collection program (sAL-Collect) has amassed more than 1.5 tonnes of material.
General manager Gerard McClafferty said hairdressers everywhere are signing up to the program following recent national media coverage on ABC News and Channel 10's The Project.
“The media reports raised awareness to such an extent that we have been forced to increase the collection to include the Central Coast, Newcastle, Singleton and Gloucester/Dungog areas,” he said.
“We have partnered with Taylors Beach-based Port Stephens Packaging, who will provide their extensive logistical services to collect used hair foils, free-of-charge. Our aim is to divert as much aluminium hair foils as possible from landfill.”
The recycling centre’s latest contribution was a $4100 beach wheelchair for the One Mile Beach surf lifesaving building.
Port Stephens Lifeguard supervisor Phil Rock said the Sandcruiser chair would ensure that all three Port Stephens surf lifesaving clubs were now wheelchair accessible and inclusive.
“Both Fingal and Birubi clubs have recently acquired beach accessible chairs so this is a great acquisition for One Mile,” he said.
“The chair provides people with a disability the opportunity to access the water’s edge with ease and in comfort.”
Mr McClafferty said the recycle centre would continue to provide much-needed funds and equipment for Port Stephens charities seeking to make a difference in the community.
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