As a community, we’re becoming more and more aware of how our decisions can impact the environment in the long run. Whether it be through avoiding fast fashion, supporting our local producers, and even buying second-hand furniture; we’re slowly moving towards a more environmentally conscious future. 

One venue in particular, the Salamander Bay Recycling Centre located in Port Stephens is making it even easier for us to make better decisions in our consumption of products. 

The independent, not-for-profit benevolent organisation is run solely by the community, for the community with huge retail spaces of pre-loved goodies to explore and services available to drop-off unwanted items; there’s a lot happening at Salamander Bay Recycling Centre.

Beginning as an unincorporated body known as the Not Everybody Works Employment Centre (NEWEC) which became incorporated in 1983, with aims to encourage community involvement. Operating from several properties across the Tomaree Peninsular in the 80s and then having the adapt to Government changes, the enterprise was moved into Salamander Bay in the mid 90s where the Recycling Centre has been ever since.

Since its inception in the 90s, the organisation has diverted many thousands of tonnes of material from landfill all whilst providing employment for local people and donating thousands of dollars every year to local community groups and good causes.

Offering a unique retailing experience, Salamander Bay Recycling Centre over the years has become a viable alternative to conventional retail. From pre-loved furniture and whitegoods to reconditioned PCs and second-hand building material and everything in between; there’s sure to be a treasure for everyone to find.

“With two massive retails sheds, a quality clothing store and plenty of yard space full of incredible items; Salamander Bay Recycling is the place you’ll find the things you never thought you needed.”

Step inside and you’ll be presented with the centre’s Blank Canvas – a revolutionary approach to presenting preloved-furniture and accessories. The Blank Canvas provides the perfect backdrop for the creation of fresh room settings to capture your imagination, all with the help of Maret Larnarch styling.

The recycling centre isn’t just about their retail alternative, the team also offers a number of alternatives to those wanting to shop for new goodies or get rid of their old ones.

• FREE pickup of recyclable items.
• FREE drop off of recyclable items.
• Economical household waste removal.
• Local cost-effective delivery service.

If you’re more interested in lending a hand at the recycling centre, the not-for-profit organisation is always on the lookout for keen volunteers that have a bit of spare time on their hands.

“We’ve grown a great deal over the last few years, and we’re always looking for new ways to keep ahead of demand. To do this, we’re searching for enthusiastic, community-focussed people to help take us to the next level.”

As a volunteer, you can choose from a variety of activities across the organisation including:

• Keep the yards, gardens, and drive-thru tidy.
• Work with staff across the retail spaces.
• Get ‘stripping’ and become a valued member of the decommissioning team.

So, whether you want to drop in and pick-up a guaranteed bargain or you want to help out and put yourself to work, you’ve got to drop by the Port Stephens based organisation and help make our community a better one.