Grounding up the good stuff

GROUNDUP Coffee Recyclers has been named a small business and community finalist in the Frankie Magazine Good Stuff Awards 2022.

Founded in 2021, the sustainable enterprise picks up 2000 kilograms of coffee grounds, kitchen scraps, and green waste from Ballarat hospitality venues and florists a week and delivers it to local farms and organisations for composting.

Earlier this year, soft plastics recycling was added to GroundUp’s offerings, engaging local manufacturers.

Company director Eliza Whitburn-Weber said she entered the Good Stuff Awards on a last-minute whim.

“When I saw I’d made it as a finalist I cried,” she said.

“The awards are highlighting people doing good stuff, and for me personally, being a reader of Frankie for 15 or so years, to be recognised by people within that industry really means a lot to me.

“Being recognised for what I do, which is a bit left field, gives people an idea that the quirkiest, weirdest idea is always worth giving a shot.

“In a regional area, sometimes we can feel we’re being overlooked, but to be recognised from a national magazine for something I’m achieving in a regional area is a great step forward, and it feels great.”

Since the enterprise launched about 15 months ago, GroundUp has worked with 22 resource partners to divert 85,000 kilograms worth of waste from landfill, and Ms Whitburn-Weber said she’s been grateful to have received lots of positive national media coverage along the way.

“That’s been amazing… I simply hope what I’m doing inspires people around the country to give things a go, especially if there’s a way of benefiting the community in a larger way,” she said.

A panel of judges will decide the winner of the small business and community category, however anyone can vote in the people’s choice award at bit.ly/3CQpNVa.

Awardees win a $1000 cash prize, business mentoring, and a feature in Frankie Magazine.