Depot’s partnership with Indigenous charity empowers communities and raises more than $120k in the process

Clean Vibes’ long-standing partnership with leading Indigenous not-for-profit, KARI Foundation has resulted in over $120,000 raised from donated container refunds and seen numerous employment opportunities provided to KARI community members, supporting the charities mission to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and provide them with the necessary resources to thrive.

Clean Vibes is a dedicated sustainable waste management company that operates the Mascot and Silverwater Return and Earn Depots.

Andrew Macarthur, Founder and Managing Director of Clean Vibes said the partnership with the KARI Foundation and opportunity to give back through employment opportunities and financial donations is one he is very proud of.

“I’m extremely proud to have KARI Foundation alongside us, and being able to come to work and see the smiles on the Indigenous youth employees is really humbling. I really wanted to do something for the community, and I’m extremely proud to be associated with sustainable, meaningful companies,” said Mr. Macarthur.

KARI Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer, Jake Wilson says the partnership started out of a mutual interest in the environment and sustainability and has evolved since then.

“It has morphed over the years into a terrific employment initiative for us,” Mr. Wilson said. “We’ve had many people—young people, elderly people, working mothers—a whole range of individuals who have gained employment with Clean Vibes through this partnership.”

“It has provided flexibility, training, and has really helped a lot of people gain confidence and remain employed at Clean Vibes for an extended period,” he added.

Donations to the KARI Foundation through this partnership have also enabled them to grow and expand their elders’ hampers and transition to school backpack program.

This partnership has enabled us year on year to grow all of these initiatives and reach more people,” said Mr.Wilson.

With 600 donated containers equating to 1hr of driving lessons, 625 donated containers equating to 1 transition to school backpack, 850 donated containers equating to 1 elders’ hamper delivery and 5000 donated containers equating to 1 high school scholarship, this ongoing partnership is continuing to help KARI Foundation expand their core programs and support more communities.