Narelle Anderson’s first foray into business ownership in 2000 was with fledgling waste management company CBD Enviro Services, a small operation consisting of 4 employees and 2 trucks. Over the next 7 years she went head-to-head against waste management giants Cleanaway, Veliola and Sita to create one of the most innovative waste collection services in Sydney.

Narelle sold CBD Enviro Services in 2007 and started Envirobank, a company that is revolutionising public place recycling with an interesting, 21st century take on the much loved cash-for-cans initiative. Envirobank utilises reverse vending technology that unlike traditional vending machines allows people to insert their empty cans or drink bottles in exchange for credits or tokens that can be redeemed by the user. The technology has been successfully tried in the US and Sweden and is set to change the recycling habits of everyday Australians.

Envirobank reverse vending machines offer Australian businesses, communities and corporate organisations one of the most unique and effective advertising opportunities and ability to have a positive impact on the environment through the use of green media. 

Can you explain to us a little about reverse vending technology?

Reverse vending machines look like a typical vending machine but instead of inserting money to receive a drink or snack the machine uses cutting edge technology to allow users to insert recyclable cans, bottles or drink containers in exchange for prizes or vouchers in a modern day twist on the much loved cash-for-cans initiatives.

Reverse vending machines were developed in Europe and have been is use in for the past three decades. There are currently 90,000 machines in use but Envirobank is the first to bring this technology to Australia.

Here are some of the machines capabilities:

• Scan each item inserted rejecting non-recyclable material
• Record items recycled to produce an accurate carbon audit
• Crunch cans and bottles on site to reduce collection frequency
• Alert staff when full
• Hold up to 3000 cans, bottles or drink containers
• Educate users about the environment and other community announcement through its LCD screen
• Be used as a community fundraising tool using scanning and swipe card functions

With global awareness of environmental issues rapidly increasing, do you predict a change in the way business and media will be run in the future?

Yes. I believe that there is an expectation among consumers that the businesses they deal with take a proactive stance to sustainability.

The possible introduction of mandatory carbon reporting legislation for businesses will also have a significant impact on the way businesses manage their sustainability in the future.

Businesses will need to look for ways they can reduce their carbon foot print and overall sustainability in a manner that is cost efficient and most importantly measurable.

What are some motivating factors in your day-to-day work practices? For instance, does it help to feel you are working towards environmental causes that you genuinely care about?

I feel that it’s important for us to all care about the environment and do our best not only to minimize our impact, but to make sure we are not leaving a legacy for future generations to have to deal with.

Have you found that being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry has affected your experiences?

I have been working in the waste industry for nearly ten years now, and in that time have most certainly had many challenges.

At times my competitors have pigeon holed me due to my gender. This in itself can lead to different opportunities and gave me further motivation to go and out and prove myself.

I have never considered my gender to be a disadvantage and believe success is based on hard work.

Do you have any tips for those getting started in similarly competitive industries?

Setting your own goals is the real key to success when trying to break into a competitive industry. You should celebrate when you have success and use these mile stones to keep pushing the boundaries.

You can’t constantly be caught up in what your competition is doing. Your business needs to remain flexible so you can keep a look out for and act on opportunities when you see them.

Be passionate and work hard, keep believing in yourself.

 

Interviewed by Nicholas - entrepreneur and founder of Nimbler Website Design and Development

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Posted on April 8th, 2009 by Nicholas