Right next door to the Windmill Hill tip, between Mount Barker and Hahndorf, is something too good to miss.
It used to be that when locals dropped a load off at the Windmill Hill tip, the team at Salvage & Save could sift through and give unwanted goods a second chance.
For those of us old enough to remember, a trip to the dump was like a giant treasure hunt, you never knew what gold you might strike.
Not anymore. Due to new health and safety regulations, the public and even charities, like Salvage & Save are no longer allowed to salvage anything from landfill. So if you toss it, it’s gone for good.
That’s why the message from Mobo Group is simple. Don’t dump it—donate it. Salvage & Save creates jobs, upcycles goods, and keeps waste from landfill.
Salvage & Save, operated by Mobo Group, is no ordinary op shop. It’s a not-for-profit enterprise providing meaningful employment for people with a disability. And it’s quietly creating big change—one bike, bookshelf, and old garden bench at a time.
There are two other locations in Elizabeth and Goolwa Beach.
“Salvage & Save is not your average Op Shop, it’s mobolised,” said Andrew Wallace, CEO of Mobo Group.
“Community donations not only keep items on our shelves and attract customers to our site, but they also empower opportunities for our team in upcycling and small repair work.”
This unique operation teaches hands-on skills in everything from woodworking to customer service.
“Whether that be customer service, managing donations, testing and tagging electronic items, or maintaining our shop floor, all of these skills give a sense of meaningful purpose to their lives,” Andrew explained.
“It increases their confidence, independence and their self-esteem.”
Instead of dumping items at the tip, visitors can simply drive a few metres further to Salvage & Save. The team is always ready to help assess what can be rehomed, and it’s more than worth it.
“Donating to Salvage & Save is a simple way to make a big impact. Whether it’s tools, toys, furniture, electrical goods, or sporting equipment—unwanted items could be just what someone else is looking for.”
One standout donation recently returned to its roots.
“A charming vintage pedal car found its way back into the spotlight thanks to a generous donation. This unique piece was originally crafted by Terry and Jill Sharman, founders of South Australia’s own Sharman Shelving Company,” said Andrew.
“Decades later, the car was purchased by the Sharman Shelving Company and is now proudly displayed in their showroom at Windsor Gardens.”
But rules around landfill access have made things tougher.
“Due to health and safety regulations, Salvage & Save cannot collect directly from the tip,” said Andrew.
“However, we’re conveniently located right next door making it easy for people to drop by and make a difference.”
And the difference is clear.
“Employment is something that so many of us take for granted,” he said.
“But for a person with a disability, it’s so much more than a regular pay check. It’s an opportunity to make friends, to learn, to grow, and to be included in a team that’s working towards the same purpose.”
Spring is a busy time at Salvage & Save, with moboMade wicker garden beds and wildlife habitat boxes are flying out the door. Hand-built by the team from recycled timber, they’re just two of the many upcycled products that make this initiative such a sustainable success.
“Our vision is to build an ecosystem of inclusive workplaces where people living with a disability can prosper,” he said.
“By diverting reusable goods from landfill and giving them a second life through our store, we’re not only protecting our natural environment, we’re also creating purpose and employment opportunities.”
Salvage & Save – Windmill Hill
Where: 1 Windmill Lane, Totness
Salvage & Save – Elizabeth
Where: 5 Bellchambers Road, Edinburgh North
Salvage & Save – Goolwa
Where: 1226 Port Elliot Road, Goolwa Beach
For more information, click here.
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