Recycle for Good — Rotary Club of North Hobart
We are a small, energetic group of Hobartians who believe that what you no longer need can become something genuinely useful for someone else. Through four recycling streams — containers, mobile phones, books and plants — we raise a modest income, meet people across our community and put good things back into circulation. Come and find us.
container recycling - a circular employment story
Tasmania's Recycle Rewards scheme pays 10 cents for every eligible container returned. We have taken that simple idea and turned it into something more: a partnership with SEED (Social Enterprise Employment & Diversity Inc.) that creates real, paid employment for people who face barriers to work.
Under our agreement, local businesses divert their containers to SEED-managed collection bins rather than managing the refunds themselves. The 10 cents per container is then shared: half goes directly to SEED to fund supported employment, a small portion flows back to the business as a participation incentive, and the remainder is reinvested by Rotary into community initiatives.
We also take containers directly at our market stalls and at community events. Look for us at football matches in North Hobart — we bring a bag and a conversation.
Under our agreement, local businesses divert their containers to SEED-managed collection bins rather than managing the refunds themselves. The 10 cents per container is then shared: half goes directly to SEED to fund supported employment, a small portion flows back to the business as a participation incentive, and the remainder is reinvested by Rotary into community initiatives.
- 10+local businesses signed up
- 25collection bins in circulation
- $2,570+generated since July 2025
- ~25 hrs supported employment per week
We also take containers directly at our market stalls and at community events. Look for us at football matches in North Hobart — we bring a bag and a conversation.
Mobile phones — recycled, refurbished, life-changing
Your old mobile phone — even one that feels too outdated to be useful — can change someone's life. We collect used handsets and pass them to our partners at DV Safe Phone, who refurbish them and donate them to survivors of domestic and family violence through frontline support services.
A working phone means the ability to call for help, stay connected with children and support networks, and begin to rebuild safety and independence. It is one of the most direct things a small community organisation can do.
We are grateful to a Hobart business that has quietly and generously supported this stream of our project. If you or your organisation would like to partner with us to keep it going, we would love to hear from you.
Bring your old phone to any of our stalls. Any model, any condition.
A working phone means the ability to call for help, stay connected with children and support networks, and begin to rebuild safety and independence. It is one of the most direct things a small community organisation can do.
We are grateful to a Hobart business that has quietly and generously supported this stream of our project. If you or your organisation would like to partner with us to keep it going, we would love to hear from you.
Bring your old phone to any of our stalls. Any model, any condition.
Books — loved once, loved again
We know you have them. The shelves that grew over decades — novels, histories, cookbooks, travel guides, the complete works of someone you once loved. And now perhaps you are downsizing, or the house feels full, and you want to know that your books will go somewhere they are wanted.
They will. We sell them at our market stalls, priced for everyone, and the proceeds support our club's community work. Bring them to us at the market, or get in touch and we can arrange a collection.
They will. We sell them at our market stalls, priced for everyone, and the proceeds support our club's community work. Bring them to us at the market, or get in touch and we can arrange a collection.
Plants — our best sellers
Potted seedlings and small plants are consistently the most popular thing on our stall — and the most cheerful. If you are a gardener with more seedlings than you know what to do with, we would love to give them a good home and a new owner. Just pot them up and bring them along.
No need to join anything or commit to anything. Just turn up at the market with a tray of seedlings and we will do the rest.
No need to join anything or commit to anything. Just turn up at the market with a tray of seedlings and we will do the rest.
Find us at the market
We appear regularly at the All Saints Market in South Hobart on a monthly basis — our next stall is coming up soon on Saturday 2 May 2026.
We also look for opportunities at street parties, community festivals and other local events around Hobart. Follow along or get in touch to find out where we will be next.
We also look for opportunities at street parties, community festivals and other local events around Hobart. Follow along or get in touch to find out where we will be next.
Could you give an hour or two?
You do not need to join Rotary or make any long-term commitment. We are looking for people who want to contribute something specific — a skill, an hour, a tray of seedlings. Here is what would genuinely help us:
The tech-confident one
Manage our Square reader so transactions run smoothly and nobody queues up waiting.
The visual storyteller
Photos, short videos, reels — capture the stall, the people, the moment. We need someone who sees the shot.
The quiet counter
You love a tally. Grant funders love numbers. Help us track what we collect so we can show our impact.
The gardener
Pot up some seedlings from your garden and drop them to us. No organising required — just green thumbs.
The recycling enthusiast
Love talking about the circular economy? So do we. Come and share that energy with curious market-goers.
The friendly face
Gentle, warm, no pressure. The person who makes a shy browser feel welcome is worth their weight in gold.
The statement wearer
Happy to wear a T-shirt that starts a conversation? We have one that says something worth saying about domestic violence.
We are a club with a majority of retired members — and we are honest about that. What we bring is experience, community networks and a genuine commitment to doing good. What we are looking for is energy, skills and fresh perspectives. The circular economy is a young idea. It fits a mixed-age group rather well.
The tech-confident one
Manage our Square reader so transactions run smoothly and nobody queues up waiting.
The visual storyteller
Photos, short videos, reels — capture the stall, the people, the moment. We need someone who sees the shot.
The quiet counter
You love a tally. Grant funders love numbers. Help us track what we collect so we can show our impact.
The gardener
Pot up some seedlings from your garden and drop them to us. No organising required — just green thumbs.
The recycling enthusiast
Love talking about the circular economy? So do we. Come and share that energy with curious market-goers.
The friendly face
Gentle, warm, no pressure. The person who makes a shy browser feel welcome is worth their weight in gold.
The statement wearer
Happy to wear a T-shirt that starts a conversation? We have one that says something worth saying about domestic violence.
We are a club with a majority of retired members — and we are honest about that. What we bring is experience, community networks and a genuine commitment to doing good. What we are looking for is energy, skills and fresh perspectives. The circular economy is a young idea. It fits a mixed-age group rather well.
get in touch
To donate items, volunteer at a stall, partner with us or find out more, please contact Roslyn Teirney on 0438 240 125 or e-mail [email protected]