Scout Recycling Centre

What Scout Recycling Centre does

Scout Recycling Centre operates 10 physical recycling depots across South Australia (headquartered at Green Fields, Adelaide) that accept beverage containers under the state Container Deposit Scheme — paying customers a 10-cent refund per eligible container purchased in SA, NT, NSW, ACT, and QLD — and purchase ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal (steel, copper, brass, aluminium, lead-acid batteries, radiators) from walk-in consumers for cash on the spot. The 150+ employee business also accepts white goods, electrical appliances, vehicles, and large household items at designated larger depots such as Munno Para, with manual sorting using weighbridges, automated container counters, and trained visual/magnet/scratch testing for metal classification.

The revenue model combines per-container reimbursement from government and industry CDS administrators with resale of scrap metal to recycling plants, supplemented by a bin pickup service for bulk customers and a distributed donation network across community Scout Groups. Pricing is fully transactional (pay-as-you-go, 10c per container, daily-floating scrap metal rates), with no disclosed contracts or subscriptions. A community-embedded element routes profits back into Scouts SA youth programs, including climbing walls, gliders, and the Woodhouse activity centre.

In December 2025, Scouts SA restructured ownership by partnering with Return-It (part of Re.Group, which operates 370+ CDS depots nationally) to form Scout Recycling and Return-It Pty Ltd, co-owning the 10 South Australian depots and bringing access to new recycling technologies, processes, and systems. The Queensland depot at Slacks Creek transitioned to full Return-It ownership as part of the same deal, concentrating the Scout Recycling Centre brand and operations back in South Australia.

Name

Scout Recycling Centre

Legal name

Scout Recycling Centre

Website

https://www.scoutrecycling.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Scout Recycling Centres is a recycling company that recycles cans, bottles, and scrap metal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recycling Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Solid Waste Collection (562111), Waste Collection (56211)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Deposit Return System (DRS) / Bottle Bill Counting & Processing Centers (BPALADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recycling Transfer & Consolidation (Single-Stream, Dual-Stream, Source-Separated) (EUAIABAC), Bulky Waste & White Goods Drop-Off/Transfer (BPALABAE), Commercial & Office Waste Collection (Non-hazardous) (EUAIAGAA)

Keywords

• Container deposit scheme
• Scrap metal recycling
• Beverage container recycling
• Waste recycling services
• Community recycling

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Container Deposit Scheme Refunds: Customers receive 10 cent cash refunds for eligible beverage containers purchased in SA, NT, NSW, ACT, and QLD. The company processes these deposits and receives government/industry reimbursement.
2. Scrap Metal Sales: Accepts and pays cash for ferrous metals (steel, iron) and non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminium, brass, stainless steel, lead batteries, radiators). Materials are processed and sold to recycling plants.
3. Community Support Funding: Profits from recycling operations fund Scouts SA youth programs, community facilities, and local scout group activities, creating a not-for-profit revenue cycle.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Scout Recycling Centre operates a network of 10 physical recycling depots across South Australia that pay cash on the spot for eligible beverage containers under the Container Deposit Scheme (10c refund) and for ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals, while also accepting large household items, electrical appliances, vehicles, and plastic/glass containers. Proceeds fund Scouts SA youth programs, and customers can additionally book a bin pickup service or donate through community Scout Group drop-off points.

Product overview

Scout Recycling Centre operates a network of 10 recycling depots across South Australia offering cash redemption for beverage containers under the Container Deposit Scheme (10-cent deposit) and purchasing various scrap metals. The company, owned by Scouts SA, provides a unified recycling service that combines deposit container redemption, ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling, electrical appliance processing, and vehicle scrapping. The core offering centers on the Container Deposit Scheme redemption service, supported by specialized metal recycling operations and an optional bin pickup service for bulk customers. All operations fund Scouts SA youth development programs, creating a community-focused circular economy model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Container Deposit Scheme Refund Service A 10-cent deposit redemption program for eligible beverage containers purchased in SA, NT, NSW, ACT, and QLD, allowing customers to exchange eligible bottles and cans for cash on the spot at Scout Recycling depots. Available to individual consumers and community donors.
• Scrap Metal Recycling Cash purchase of ferrous metals (steel, iron) and non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminium, brass, stainless steel, lead batteries, radiators, and vehicle parts) at depot locations, with prices that fluctuate daily based on market conditions. Available to individuals and businesses with scrap metal to sell.
• Electrical Appliances Recycling Acceptance of white goods and small electrical appliances (toasters, kettles, air conditioners) for recycling at designated depots. Targeted at households disposing of appliances responsibly.
• Large Household Items Recycling Acceptance of large household items such as air conditioners, hot water units, white goods, blinds, bikes, and swing sets for recycling at depot locations. For residential customers.
• Cars and Machinery Recycling Acceptance of vehicles, car bodies, electronic motors, and radiators for recycling at larger depots such as Munno Para. Vehicles must be free of fuel, oils, gas bottles, and batteries; proof of ownership is required.
• Plastic, Glass and Other Container Recycling Acceptance of plastic bottles, glass bottles, aluminium cans, and other beverage containers including wine, beer, soft drink, and fruit juice containers for redemption or recycling at depots.
• Bin Pickup Service On-demand bin collection service for customers with nearly full bins or large quantities of recyclables, with pickup scheduling arranged via the website. Suitable for events, community drives, or households producing higher volumes.
• Scout Groups Donation Program Community drop-off points at local Scout Groups across South Australia where donors can contribute cans and bottles, with proceeds supporting local scout programs rather than direct cash redemption to the donor.

Quantifiable outcome

• Diverts over 3700 garbage-truck loads of material from landfill annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Return-ItcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Scouts SA is partnering with national Container Deposit Scheme industry leader Return-It to co-own the 10 recycling depots in South Australia. The partnership will advance new recycling technologies, processes, and systems. Return-It runs more than 370 CDS depots across Australia and has been partnering with community groups for 8 years. The new entity will be called Scout Recycling and Return-It Pty Ltd from December 2025.
• Re.GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReturn-It is part of Re.Group, which runs Container Deposit Scheme operations across Australia with advanced technology for accessible recycling.
• Scout Groups (SA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOver a dozen Scout Groups across South Australia serve as community drop-off points for can and bottle donations, supporting local fundraising while expanding the recycling network.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Re.Group (parent of Return-It): Re.Group operates Return-It, Australia's largest Container Deposit Scheme network with 370+ depots. Direct peer and now joint venture partner of Scout Recycling Centre for SA operations via Scout Recycling and Return-It Pty Ltd.
• TOMRA Collection: TOMRA operates reverse vending and automated container deposit collection systems globally, including in Australia. Comparable to Scout as a CDS-focused operator with technology-driven collection infrastructure.
• Sims Metal (Sims Limited): Global scrap metal recycler with Australian operations buying ferrous and non-ferrous metals including steel, copper, aluminium, and lead batteries. Direct competitor to Scout's scrap metal intake business.
• Scrap Metal Recyclers (e.g., Ironstone Metal Recycling, Pick-A-Part): Independent scrap metal buyers and auto wreckers across Australia that compete with Scout for scrap steel, copper, aluminium, car bodies, and catalytic converters in the same regional markets.

Broad incumbents

• Visy Recycling: Visy operates materials recovery and recycling facilities across Australia, processing paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals. Broader incumbent that overlaps with Scout's container and metal recycling streams at scale.
• Cleanaway Waste Management: Australia's largest waste management company, offering solid waste collection, recyclables processing, and resource recovery across all states. Adjacent competitor to Scout in commercial and household recycling collections.
• Veolia Australia: Global environmental services operator with substantial Australian waste collection, sorting, and materials recovery infrastructure. Broad incumbent competing for the same commercial and council recycling contracts.
• Suez Recycling and Recovery Australia: Operates materials recovery facilities and waste collection services across Australia. Comparable to Scout in accepting recyclables from households and commercial generators, but at national scale.
• Bingo Industries: Major Australian waste and recycling company focused on construction, commercial, and household waste streams. Overlaps with Scout in mixed recyclables and metals handling.

Regional players

• Container Exchange (NSW): Not-for-profit scheme administrator and network coordinator for the NSW Return and Earn container deposit scheme. Comparable to Scout's CDS role in SA but operating in a different state under a different scheme.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/scoutrecycling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scout-recycling-centres

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scout Recycling Centre