Our People
Not just work, quality work.
We believe in providing the best service possible while always keeping sustainability in mind. Our environment deserves a future – and we’re here for it!
Our Vision
Enriching the lives of people with disabilities through meaningful work, connection and community contribution.
Our Mission
We operate a high profile, successful and resilient, social enterprise that creates the opportunities to enrich the lives of our people.
Our Story
Founded in 1974 as Southland disAbility Enterprises, we have grown from a small community initiative into a thriving enterprise with more than 100 employees over the years. We’ve always believed that employment is a right, not a privilege - and that barriers are often created by attitudes, not abilities.
By providing voluntary, supported employment under transparent, government-assessed wage frameworks, we create opportunities that would otherwise not exist.
Our work transforms public funding into measurable wellbeing outcomes - reducing welfare dependency, improving mental health, and strengthening communities. We are proud to stand as a community anchor, supporting individuals, families, and Southland as a whole.
Our Impact
Environmental Stewardship
We process plastics, paper, cardboard, aluminium, e-waste, steel, and more, diverting waste from landfill and supporting New Zealand’s “clean green” image.
Inclusive Employment
We tailor roles to individual strengths and provide all employees with full legal protections, paid leave, and access to health and safety entitlements.
Pathways to Independence
We deliver structured training, confidence building, and mentoring to help people move into mainstream employment.
Wraparound Support
From tenancy help to 24/7 phone assistance, our planned Support Services Programme will address housing, mental health, transport, and life skills barriers that affect work success.
Opportunities for Growth
Our workplace offers:
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Training in recycling operations, processing, administration, and customer service.
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Development of workplace skills such as teamwork, time management, and problem-solving.
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Formal qualifications through our partnership with the Southern Institute of Technology, including the New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Living for Supported Learners and the New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Learning and Working for Supported Learners (both Level 1).
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Healthy, sustainable meals through our Fuel for Good initiative - offering free daily access to fresh fruit, healthy snacks, and light lunches, reinforcing our commitment to wellbeing and inclusion.
Employment Pathways
To date, 15 individuals have successfully transitioned from Recycle South into open employment, reflecting the organisation’s strong commitment to building pathways into the wider workforce.
Of these 15, five remain in the same roles they initially secured, showcasing both their resilience and the quality of the support provided in their transition. Their continuous service spans an impressive range:
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24 years in the same role – a remarkable long-term success story.
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5 ¼ years in sustained employment.
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4 years of continuous service.
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3 ½ years of ongoing employment.
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2 ¾ years and continuing strong.
These outcomes demonstrate not only successful placement, but also sustained stability in open employment, with individuals thriving well beyond the initial transition phase.
A Win for People and the Planet
By choosing Recycle South, you are part of a movement for inclusion, opportunity, and sustainability in Southland.
Every item you bring to Recycle South:
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Diverts waste from landfill
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Invests in the personal and professional growth of people with disabilities
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Strengthens our local economy and community resilience
Our Five Core Values
We conduct ourselves with integrity.
We take ownership, accept accountability and embrace responsibility.
We value the environment.
We cherish our community.
We seek to add value and to reduce risk
Our 5 Core Values
Removing all personal opinions that may influence judgment in order to treat all people equally, avoiding favouritism and discrimination.
Fair
Creating transparency by defaulting to honesty. This authenticity allows opportunity to inspire one another and makes work more meaningful, interesting, and fun.
Honest
Respect
Treating others the way you want to be treated. Supporting everyone’s worth and dignity, regardless of background, abilities, or beliefs.
Protecting the company image by being eager to help others, showing attention to detail, preserving consistency, and being willing to take responsibility for mistakes and issues.
Caring
Improvement
Actively participating in the company's progression, gaining a sense of pride and accomplishment. Maintaining a passion for education, learning from mistakes, and turning challenges into successes.
Tiwai Enclave
Our workers have been on site at Tiwai Aluminium Smelter for over 30 years.
We are tasked with servicing respiratory protection equipment used by some eight hundred and sixty personnel on site. Supervisor Richard Holi runs a team of five permanent staff who pride themselves on ensuring the respirator equipment is always fit for purpose and maintains a high standard of respiratory protection.
Alongside their equipment duties, the team of five operate the machine that creates the ‘M’ straps used to secure aluminium for transportation NZAS is one of the very limited number of smelters around the world that employ outside contractors for these tasks, which we are very proud of!
Contact Us
Recycling Facility
Address: 28 Ettrick Street, Invercargill
Phone: 03 214 6188
Email: enquiries@recyclesouth.org.nz
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am - 4.30pm
Our Supporters
