Horsham’s AXIS Worx, a disability employment enterprise, has surpassed a significant milestone by processing close to five million containers at its site since November 2023. The organization’s CEO, Mr Schmidt, expressed gratitude for the community’s support, which has enabled them to reach this achievement in just eight months.Horsham’s AXIS Worx, a disability employment enterprise, has surpassed a significant milestone by processing close to five million containers at its site since November 2023. The organization’s CEO, Mr Schmidt, expressed gratitude for the community’s support, which has enabled them to reach this achievement in just eight months. AXIS Worx provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities and utilizes the program funding to support its operations. It is the only facility in the Wimmera region with an automated collection depot, allowing for the efficient processing of large volumes of containers. By donating containers, individuals contribute to sustaining employment for people with disabilities. AXIS Worx has trained 16 employees to work in the container depot, and the program continues to grow with the increasing number of containers received. Containers can be returned for a refund through the CDS Vic West app, bank transfer, or cheque. Alternatively, donations can be made to support local organizations. AXIS Worx itself is aiming to raise funds to replace a shade sail for its workers’ area. In addition to the container deposit system, AXIS Worx operates a wood production facility, manufacturing garden posts and pallets. It also serves as the largest e-waste recycling center in Western Victoria, dismantling and processing electronic waste for recycling. The organization has several supported employees with forklift certificates, facilitating efficient operations. AXIS Worx is open for container handling from Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
“It started on November 1st of last year and we are very close to processing five million containers at our site. From a community perspective, that is amazing,” he said.
In the first five weeks, one million containers were processed.
“Reaching five million people in eight months means we have a lot of support from our community, and that’s great,” said Mr Schmidt.
“As an organization, we are very proud to be able to give back to the local economy while providing employment to people with disabilities. In addition, we use the program funding to support our organization.”
AXIS Worx has the only automated collection depot in the Wimmera. It is covered, heated and has the capacity to accept large volumes of containers at a time.
“By bringing your containers here you are helping to support the continued employment of people with disabilities. We have trained 16 of our 39 supported employees to work in the container dump, which is growing with the increasing volume of dumps we receive,” Mr Schmidt said.
People bringing containers to the facility can choose to receive their refund themselves through the CDS Vic West app, via bank transfer or cheque, or they can donate the refund to a local group.
“If people have the app, we scan them when they arrive and everything is linked. Charities just have to register to receive donations,” Mr Schmidt said.
AXIS Works is also one of several charities named as a beneficiary – it is aiming to raise $4,000 to replace the shade sail in the worker’s area. AXIS Worx’s 15-acre site on Golf Course Road, Horsham, was originally known as The Wool Factory, where 2,000 sheep were housed and used to grow wool to generate revenue.
There are now three different businesses at AXIS Worx – wood production; e-waste recycling; and the container deposit system. There are 39 people with disabilities working there.
“We manufacture garden posts from Tasmanian hardwood and also make pallets which we supply to Gasons in Ararat. Every wood stove they sell is shipped on one of our pallets,” Mr Schmidt said.
“We are also the largest e-waste recycling centre in Western Victoria.
“We have a team of people who work within the departments of that section, dismantle the e-waste products, separate the goods, destroy the motherboards so that there is no more access to private information, and then resell them for recycling.”
Mr Schmidt said there are seven supported employees who have their forklift certificates and another five will get their certificates next month.
AXIS Worx is open for container handling Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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