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Company Profile
Our founder





Joe Richards was one of eight children, and at an early age worked in coal mines. In 1913 at the age of 19 he migrated to Australia, and joined his Uncle in Kalgoorlie.
Joe resolved to leave coal mining and took a job in a slate quarry at Wallerawong near Lithgow.  Here he met fellow Welshman, Arthur Webb, a builder and went to work with him.
In 1927, Webb won the contract to build Murwillumbah High School and Joe was given the job of driving a Reo truck from Wollongong to Murwillumbah, although his only previous driving experience was with a T‑model Ford.


A little later he returned to the Tweed to rebuild the Imperial Hotel which had been burnt down.  It was then that he decided the Tweed was where he wanted to live. He brought his family from Thirroul to Murwillumbah arriving on April 7, 1931.
In 1932 when Murwillumbah Municipality called tenders for the sanitary service contract, Joe Richards on May 25, 1932, became the first contractor to Murwillumbah, with his price of five pence, one farthing (5c). He transformed the service from Council operated horse and dray to automotive vehicles.


On the amalgamation of Murwillumbah municipality and Tweed Shire, in 1939 he moved to Wommin Bay to open a new disposal depot for the Shire.  At that time he was awarded both the sanitary and garbage collection contracts for the new Shire.
In 1949 he established his business workshops at Pacific Highway, Chinderah, New South Wales, where the family business continues to operate today, covering outlets from Cairns in the north to Melbourne in the south.
Over the next 10 years, Joe supported locals groups such as the Chinderah Starlights football club, of which he was President and the Kingscliff Bowling Club of which he was a founding member. Joe's death in December 1959, was mourned by a large cross section of the local community.


Company History & Background

As Joe's family became increasingly involved in the business a partnership was formed between Joe and his sons in the 1950s.

On the 30th June, 1970 J.J.Richards & Sons Pty. Limited was incorporated.

Solo Resource Recovery came into being with a decision by the Richards family to distribute the holdings of J.J.Richards & Sons Pty. Limited.

Solo was established in July 1990. Solo and its manufacturing arm Rico Recovery Systems Aust. Pty Limited (formerly Jayrich Engineering) are still based at Chinderah, Northern New South Wales on Joe Richards’ original workshop and depot site.

The history of the Richards Family, commencing with Joseph John, covers three generations having in excess of 75 years experience in the waste industry.

This experience and initiative to introduce automation into the industry has established the company as the leader in technology and equipment that others have found necessary to follow.

Solo Resource Recovery has introduced efficiency and economies in the waste collection industry which prior to the introduction of the side loading S.O.L.O. (Single Operator Loading Operation) 1-man collection vehicle in 1985, was not considered possible. Also, increasing rates of resource recovery and diversion from landfill have been achieved at waste depots we manage due to, amongst other things, innovation.

Councils utilising the systems and technology of SOLO Resource Recovery benefit from the most effective and efficient waste management solutions available in Australia.

Solo Resource Recovery, unlike the multi-national or overseas competitors, is not remote from the public to which it is committed. All directors and managers are available at any time for all inquiries.

Solo Resource Recovery is financially sound and committed to providing and maintaining a standard of excellence in the waste industry. The company’s growth has been conservative together with service improvements for existing customers.

Solo’s history is dominated by innovation. The waste collection and processing operations have assisted the engineering operation by trialing new equipment throughout the development process. Subsequently, it has enjoyed the benefits of the technological developments as and when they are perfected.

The fact that Solo Resource Recovery has achieved significant innovations through the internal processes of product development, trialing and refinement, is testimony to our claim to be leaders in the manufacture of proven waste handling equipment, and in waste collection techniques.

Solo Resource Recovery operations now include local government contracts and commercial operations in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
Declaration of Australian Ownership

Solo Resource Recovery is a wholly owned Australian business. All shareholders of Solo Resource Recovery are Australian citizens. All Directors of Solo Resource Recovery reside in Australia.

Solo Resource Recovery does not have any foreign investments and thus does not channel any monies away from Australian shores. Where possible the company strives to purchase and support Australian Made goods and services from 100% Australian Owned companies. Solo will work to ensure that the service, innovation and awareness unique to Australian companies continues to be well represented. Solo Resource Recovery is a member of the Australian Owned Companies Association (AOCA) and actively supports its philosophies and objectives.
Mission Statement

Solo Resource Recovery is a Proud Australian Company with a long and distinguished history of service to the community and waste industry.
Solo is committed to -
  • Strive for excellence in all that it pursues.

  • Environmentally sound methods of Waste Minimisation, Recovery, Handling and Disposal.

  • Fostering the continued development of Safety, Technology, Efficiency and Productivity throughout the Waste Industry.

  • The betterment of its staff through training programmes, the fostering of goodwill and diligent adherence to Quality, OH&S and Environmental Management.

  • Recognising individual needs and development of staff and encouraging personal recognition of their value, for their effort and contribution to the community.

  • A positive contribution to improve the Quality of Life of all Australians.

  • Fulfilling the aims and objectives of the mission through constant re-evaluation.
    Specific Objectives:

  • To provide and facilitate an economic and technically advanced waste collection and processing system to the community.

  • To promote within the community an appreciation of the service provided through Council by the waste contractor.

  • To encourage greater community awareness and participation in recycling and waste minimisation to conserve the earth's finite resources.

  • To interact in a positive way with the community and council.

  • To maintain integrity and the respect of the company throughout the community.

  • To maintain an unblemished industrial relations record.
   

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