Workers at the Abilities Group recycling plant in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
An Auckland recycling centre is thanking the huge community effort that helped it get back on its feet after a devastating fire earlier this year.
The Abilities Group recycling plant was completely destroyed by fire in April leaving the almost 120 workers with disabilities employed there wondering what was next.
But thanks to volunteers and thousand of dollars worth of donations from the community, they have been able to find a new temporary home, and replace their equipment.
An outpouring of community support and donations in the aftermath has meant they have been able to continue their work at a smaller site, that they will occupy for the next two years, while they search for a larger, permanent home.
The recycling plant burnt down in April, but thanks to donations they have been able to continue work at a smaller plant. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
Staff member Michael Oram said he was surprised by just how many people wanted to help.
"It's because of them, all the support, we are here today in this building, that with all the money being raised, we can help get this workplace running again."
He said it was really good to be back.
"Part of me felt we weren't going to be here right now," Oram said.
"Some parts of me thought it would take longer than it has, but it's good, I like it here."
Peter Fraher says they are getting ready to come back bigger and better. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
Abilities managing director Peter Fraher said they could not have made it this far at this speed without the community's help.
"We always had this ambition, but we didn't it think would get here this quickly and we didn't know we had the same amount of support that we've had, and it's just made our job much easier," he said.
The old recycling plant was completely destroyed. Photo: RNZ / Kaye Albert
Fraher said the fire left them with nothing.
"The first weekend here I found a paper cup, and that's really what we had, we had no boots, we had no hi-vis, we had no gloves, we had nothing," he said.
"Absolutely everything here has come from the community, and from funders, and businesses."
They were getting ready to come back bigger and better, Fraher said.
"We just want people to continue to support us, continue to use our services, and that'll get us where we wanted to be."
Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
Fire and Emergency told RNZ the official cause of the blaze was undetermined, due the level of damage to the building.
A fire investigator found it was likely caused by a lithium ion battery.
Auckland Council waste solutions safety specialist Lyndon Collie said there were a number of options for those wanting to recycle batteries correctly.
"A real simple, safe one to make your batteries safe at the beginning is to put tape over the terminals if you're able to do that," he said.
"If not, where it's an embedded battery, there are quite a number of retailers and locations that you can take those batteries or those devices for recycling."
Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
And for the staff at Abilities, they were back to work, and grateful for the support.
"Thank you so much from everyone here," Oram said, "it's been amazing."
Those wanting to learn where to recycling their lithium batteries can find out more here.
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