Cardboard packaging from new car panels is donated to a local centre for the intellectually disabled, who collect it then resell to manufacturers. Costs and Payback Initial start-up costs were largely Kathy's voluntary time and energy. She carried out research for three weeks. As a result of the reduction in waste, the skip was emptied seven times last year, compared to once-weekly in the past. Cutting down on waste has meant reduced purchasing costs of materials, such as in the reuse of thinners.
Additional income is received from recycling scrap metal, radiators and batteries.
While the financial savings do not appear great, Kathy said it means a lot to the business not to have to take away fibreglass panels or other unsaleable waste material. Under their new system, all waste is picked up and recycled. Payback periods have not been estimated as all the equipment was already in place at the panel beating shop when the first audit took place. The shop employs a schoolboy to come in after school and on Saturday mornings to sort the waste. On average, he spends three hours a week on the program .