One good turn deserves another – please read this to the end …
By Ewa Meyer, Renew Hunter Branch.
Last year, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to contribute to Renew Magazine’s Autumn issue by interviewing a very special person. Jess Hodge is co-owner and co-founder with her husband Geoff, of Resourceful Living, a family-owned business which focusses on retrieving and repurposing all that plastic we discard and waste.
The Hodge Family’s mission in life is not just to make a living out of re-manufacturing plastic waste – but to Save The Planet!
My article in Renew can be found at the bottom of this page. Its only short, please read it as it serves as a background to the devastating event which happened recently at the Resourceful Living factory.
Resourceful Living started off in a small shed in Beresfield. Progress was swift, accelerated by the passion and belief of this young family that this was the right thing to do – and the right thing for them. Resourceful Living was soon winning awards left, right and centre through the Hunter, NSW and beyond. Their schools education program is outstanding. Designed for students from preschool to high school, the workshops are integrated with the curriculum. They foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, all the while providing a real-world application of classroom learning.
I first met Jess after seeing her on NBN News and we got chatting. She wanted to know all about EcoNetwork, and even since moving the factory to Kurri Kurri, has remained a business affiliate and generously supported us at our Sustainability Festivals. Last year, Renew members & friends toured the factory and we were amazed to see first hand how a circular economy really works. Plastic bottles being converted into sustainable household goods and furniture, and a large 3D printer producing outdoor sun loungers!
However, last month, all this came to an abrupt halt. A devastating fire destroyed the Resourceful Living factory and its contents. Detectives are on the case to confirm suspicions that the fire was deliberately lit. It took 60 firefighters several hours to bring the blaze under control. See news items below.
I’m personally devastated as I know Jess to be the warmest, most generous person imaginable, and with 3 very young children to focus on, it is going to take this family a lot of strength and determination to rebuild. Just two weeks earlier, for their 3rd birthday celebrations, Jess posted this on their facebook page:
What a year it’s been for Resourceful Living! We are beyond excited to celebrate our achievements and reflect on how far we’ve come. This year, we’ve proudly educated over 1,000 students, sharing knowledge about sustainability, waste reduction, and the importance of recycling plastic. It’s been incredible to see the next generation get inspired and empowered to make positive changes for our planet.
On the manufacturing front, we’ve expanded from 50 tonnes to an incredible 950 tonnes per year! Our passion for turning redundant plastic into long-lasting products has driven this growth, and we’re so grateful to all our partners, clients, and supporters who have been part of this journey.
Over the course of the year, we also re-manufactured 50 tonnes of waste into new products, saving between 45 and 87.5 tons of CO2! To put that in perspective, this is the equivalent of planting between 750 and 1,450 trees or charging over 5 million smartphones . That’s a huge impact on reducing emissions and improving sustainability!
We’ve also deepened our commitment to local communities and businesses, working closely with organisations like Hunter New England Health and Department of Education.
Looking ahead, we can’t wait to take on 2025 with even bigger goals and projects! Thank you to everyone who has been part of our mission – together, we’re creating a more sustainable and resourceful future. Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and making an impact!
It’s horribly heartbreaking. From celebrating 3 years of achievements – to losing everything you’ve worked for. I mentioned the passion and determination of this young family. Of course they are starting over, one step at a time. With hope and support, this is where you come in ….
Please consider placing an order for one of the sustainable products that Resourceful Living are going to create in the coming weeks. Here are some coasters and a soap dish I bought previously. There isn’t a big range or choice at the moment – but it’s a step towards their recovery, and the rebuilding of their dream and their livelihood. Even the smallest purchase or gift will make a difference.
As Jess and her team work around the clock to rebuild, please let’s all support them by pre-ordering a product. This could save plastic going to landfill. They will email you with an anticipated delivery date as soon as their factory is back up and running. If you would like a special order please email info@resourcefulliving.com.au
Here is the story behind Resourceful Living, reproduced with permission from Renew Magazine’s Editor, Nathan Scolaro: