Fourteen-year-old Aidan Hanratty’s favourite thing about recycling is playing with his neighbours’ dogs when he drops by to collect their empty bottles and cans.
His carer, Bronte, said that she and his mum recognised that it might be difficult for Aidan to work a “typical” job and looked for ways he could develop different skills.
“We wanted to give him a chance to work on things like money management, social skills and just general independence,” Bronte said.
“Return and Earn, or ‘bottles and can collecting’ as Aidan calls it, seemed a viable option as I could be there as a support, but he could do all the heavy lifting and talk with the people who donate their containers.”
Aidan’s community in East Hills has rallied behind him, with others reaching out via social media.
Most Saturdays, Aidan and Bronte head out to pick up containers in the East Hills, Panania, Picnic Point and Padstow areas.
“Aidan loves the social aspect of Return and Earn. He would stay for hours playing with everyone’s dogs if he could but work must go on,” Bronte said.
In the two years since Aidan began collecting bottles and cans, he has earned around $1,000, taking in about $100 a month.
Bronte said collecting containers has helped Aidan develop his independence over the last couple of years. “He now collects the bottles by himself,” she said.
