Geraldton and Midwest E-Waste service preparing to close as costs rise, but owner refuses to quit on community

After nearly a decade of serving the community, Geraldton and Midwest E-Waste is preparing to close its doors as rising costs make it impossible to stay open. Geraldton local Mike Barker has spent the past seven years tackling the region’s recycling gap, but the end of his lease and soaring rent have forced him to shut down his vital service. “They’ve just decided our lease is up at the end of the financial year, and they’ve decided not to extend it any further. Fine. That’s business,” he said. Previously in the sheet metal industry, Mr Barker faced unemployment after a fallout with his business partner. “I was suddenly unemployed, and at the last kerbside pick-up that we had, I saw all these bed frames on the side of the road and I thought ‘there’s more I can do with this’,” he said. Geraldton and Midwest E-Waste recycles anything from bread tags to industrial fridges and holds contracts with the local hospital, Dongara landfill, and community resource centres in Shark Bay, Jurien Bay, and Mullewa. It has saved thousands of tonnes of waste from landfills annually. Beyond recycling, the facility doubles as a hands-on learning hub for schools, youth groups and community organisations, while also providing meaningful roles for about 40 volunteers — including several NDIS participants — with four to five helping onsite each day. “I’m doing everything I can to find a new premises to keep this service open for Geraldton and the Mid West and my volunteers,” he said. “Geraldton is already 30 years behind every other region in the country and this will only push us further into the past. “If I need to, if I’m just doing the fridges, washing machines and whatever from my driveway at home, then that’s what I’m doing. I’m not quitting.” City of Greater Geraldton deputy mayor Natasha Colliver said while it was disappointing to see the centre close, regional councils lacked the funds to support recycling, and were wary of increasing rates. “Mike’s been really passionate about what he’s done for a long time. So personally I’m really sad for him, and I hope he’s OK,” she said. “Do we have a yellow top bin service? No, we don’t. Is that something we should have? Yes, it is, but it’s about the cost of it. “We know that ratepayers want it. We know that 100 per cent, but what we don’t know is their willingness to pay.” Ms Colliver said conversations needed to start between the council and the community to find a solution. “I think it’s important that we start those conversations,” she said. “I’m really, really mindful about the impact, and I’m really, really mindful that it is something that we should be providing as well. “It’s a wicked dilemma.” For now, Ms Colliver said there were plenty of recycling options across the city for when Geraldton and Midwest E-Waste closed its doors on June 30. “You just need to jump on the city’s website and have a look at what’s available and where it’s available,” she said.