Recovery has an extra special meaning at one Southern Highlands business set to re-open after a COVID-19 forced shut down.
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The return to work at Reviva Moss Vale is a welcome relief for the enthusiastic staff.
Libby Lee joined the Reviva Moss Vale team as a depot hand in 2018 following life-changing surgery.
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An avid "tip shopper" for many years, she felt she needed to do something for the greater good.
"We live in a throw away, consumer society and products are produced to be replaced quickly," she said.
"At Reviva we work towards conservation with the mindset that every little bit helps.
"Every day I feel like I'm making a difference, getting items that shouldn't be in landfill back into circulation."
Reviva is part of Resource Recovery Australia (RRA), a social enterprise that diverts waste from landfill and creates stable and meaningful jobs for people experiencing barriers to work.
Libby was one of six team members stood down at Reviva Moss Vale when it closed due to COVID-19 restrictions in March.
RRA general manager Matthew Curtis said RRA had to close three of its re-use shops, including Reviva Moss Vale, and stop all community engagement work.
"This meant some of our people lost hours or were temporarily stood down," he said.
"That was really hard, for them and for us. As an organisation we've been working to ensure that all our people have jobs once this is over.
"We also knew the re-use shops were missed by their local communities.
"We've had so many inquiries on social media asking when the shops will be open again."
JobKeeper meant the Moss Vale team could return to work while the shop was closed.
They got busy cleaning and upgrading the shop and finding places for new stock.
Then Wingecarribee Council gave the green light for Reviva Moss Vale to reopen on June 1.
"We'll be back to doing what we do best," Libby said.
"It's a great shop with a great vibe.
"A lot of people associate the term tip shop with being a little shed with, essentially, rubbish that you fossick through and you might find something.
"The way we do our shop is different, it deserves a better name.
"We really are a re-purpose and re-use shop with treasures to be found everywhere."
The shop is also a place where the community connects and shares re-use and repair ideas.
Some customers visit the shop every day.
Others travel from as far as Sydney.
"In the team we ask each other, what steps can we take to make an impact?" Libby said.
"All the baby steps make a huge impact.
"Every time we re-purpose or re-use something, it makes a difference. We can change the world."
Reviva Moss Vale reopens on June 1, with social distancing and hygiene measures in place to ensure customer and staff safety.
Reviva Moss Vale is located in the grounds of the Resource Recovery Centre on Berrima Road, Moss Vale.
