Why 80% Is Something to Celebrate
Every great hero has an arch-enemy.
Sherlock has Moriarty.
Harry has Voldemort.
And here at our warehouse?
We have… The Fadge.
Not just any fadge — THE FADGE.
A large, lumpy bag full of the plastic bits and bobs from e-waste that even we cannot rescue, refurbish, reinvent, or turn into a stylish coffee table.
This is the 20% of material that remains after we’ve recycled everything else. We’re talking shredded casings, mystery plastic fragments and the occasional piece that looks like it came from a 1990s spaceship console.
‘The Fadge’ sits quietly in the corner of the warehouse like a giant beanbag of disappointment.
Our staff walk past it with the same expression people give to leftovers in the back of the fridge: “It’s not dangerous… but I’m not emotionally ready for this today.”
Sometimes someone says, “Let’s just hang onto it a bit longer. Maybe next week we’ll figure out a brilliant new use for brittle black plastic?”
And everyone nods, because deep down we’d all love to be the sort of people who turn old printer shells into award-winning art sculptures.
But before we form a support group for Guilty Nonprofit Staff Who Hate Throwing Things Out™, here’s something important to remember:
We salvage 80% of all e-waste that comes through our doors.
EIGHTY. PERCENT.
If we were marking an exam, that’s a solid B+.
If this was baking, that’s 8 out of 10 cupcakes perfectly iced.
If this was recycling, it’s basically superhero territory.
But instead of celebrating that incredible achievement, our eyes drift back to The Fadge of Forever, as if it personally insults our honour.
So let’s say this out loud (preferably while standing heroically, hands on hips) for all the heroes in our team of staff and volunteers:
This fadge full of leftover plastics is not our shame.
It’s the result of how the whole community produces, buys, and discards electronic goods – not a moral failing on our part.
We didn’t create these plastics.
We didn’t design them to be unrecyclable.
We didn’t build the world’s supply chain around short-life gadgets with long-life waste.
We’re just the ones trying to do the right thing at the end of the chain.
And the truth is:
Without our team, there would be FIVE fadges going to landfill instead of one.
So next time you are visiting Wāhi Tukurua site and see ‘The Fadge of Forever’ looming in the corner:
Give it a respectful nod.
Thank it for reminding us why our work matters.
Then celebrate the 80% of e-waste that didn’t end up there.
P.S. If you have an art project or other brilliant idea that could use plastic bits, please drop and let the team know how much you want – we would love it to go to a good home and add value for even longer!
