The National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations (NACRO) is a membership based industry association representing charitable recycling organisations throughout Australia. It is the peak body that represents the industry’s interests to regulators, legislators, the media, and the public. Above all NACRO provides an industry network where members can benefit from each other and promote the industry to the community and to government instrumentalities at all levels to ensure that the industry is given consideration as required.
NACRO advocates educating the community to donate goods responsibly, to provide maximum profits for social welfare with minimum cost to the environment and the collection agency. It provides the community with guidance on beneficial donating practices.
Like most Industry Associations NACRO provides a range of benefits for its members. It is governed by an annually elected Board of up to 12 members, who meet monthly to discuss industry issues. Many issues are dictated by state legislation and thus specific state issues are managed by State Councils.
NACRO constitutional purpose
The registered objects of the association are as follows:
• To be the peak organisation for charitable recycling organisations in Australia
• To assist each member to provide maximum financial support from recycling operations for its charitable purposes
• To facilitate the activities of each State Council to attain the objects of the Association
• To enlist and encourage co-operation and support from the Federal Government, industries, corporations, trade unions and the community
• for the recycling operations of members and to assist State Councils in their contacts with state and local governments
• To promote the research and development of recycling operations and to facilitate the exchange of information, experiences and advice
• between members
• To monitor and inform members of legal or political matters relating to the recycling operations of members.
Membership eligibility
Membership in the Association is available to organisations that have obtained Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status from the Australian Taxation Office and that operate recycling programmes for the purpose of emergency assistance and/or the supply of low cost clothing and/or the support of the charitable purpose of the particular charity or Public Benevolent institution.
Membership is not available to charitable recycling organisations that:
• Sell or otherwise allow their brand/name to be used by another organisation to solicit donations of used clothing or associated products.
• Are not actively involved via their own staff or volunteers or under the name of the charity in one or more of the following, collection, sorting, retailing, exporting of used clothing and associated products or providing clothing to the public for charitable purposes.
• Have not been actively involved within the charitable recycling industry for a minimum of twelve months prior to seeking membership of NACRO.
Membership Structure and fees for 2009 - 2010 financial year
NACRO members range from the largest national charities that have invested in a recycling infrastructure operating across a designated region to individual shops. The membership categories and associated annual fees have taken into account the proportionate diversity of a range of recycling operations, and include the following categories:
• State Membership
• Independent Membership
• Associate Membership
• Small Charity Membership
• Incorporated Body of Charitable Recycling Organisations
The membership fee is determined at each Annual General Meeting of NACRO. Following are the details and fees for 2009- 2010 financial year.
The State Membership category is available to organisations that represent their own constituent bodies within the boundaries of any state or territory. Applicants for this category are required to declare the constituent bodies they will represent. Constituent bodies so represented will be required to apply for Associate Membership. Each State Corporate Member will be entitled to three (3) votes at General Meetings of NACRO.
• The annual subscription for State Membership is A$1,980.00 (GST incl) per annum.
The Independent Membership category is available to organisations that are not affiliated with a State Corporate Member and that wish to exercise voting rights at General Meetings of NACRO. Each Independent Member will be entitled to two (2) votes at General Meetings of NACRO.
• The annual subscription for Independent Membership is A$1,3200 (GST incl) per annum.
The Associate Membership category is available to those organisations affiliated with State Corporate Members or to such other persons or organisations which the Executive Committee considers would assist in the attainment of any of the objectives of NACRO. Associate Members are not entitled to vote at General Meetings of NACRO.ß
• The annual subscription for Associate Membership is A$440 (GST incl) per annum.
The Small Charity Membership category is available to organisations with a recycling turnover of less than $50,000 per annum. Membership fee will be $220 per year assessed annually in accordance with all NACRO membership categories. Small Charity memberships have no voting rights under the NACRO constitution.
• The annual subscription for Small Charity Membership is A$220 (GST incl) per annum.
The Incorporated Body of Charitable Recycling Organisations membership category is available to an Incorporated Body of Charitable Recycling Organisations that represents its members within the boundaries of any state of territory in accordance with the Constitution. Each Incorporated Body of Charitable Recycling Organisations shall be entitled to five (5) votes at General Meetings of NACRO.
•The annual subscription for Incorporated Body of Charitable Recycling Organisations membership is A$3,300 (GST incl) per annum.
Annual membership commences 1st July. New members are charged pro-rata.
Membership forms can be downloaded here
A copy of the NACRO constitution can be downloaded here.
Application Procedure
Applications should be forwarded to the management office by fax on 03 9866 6434 or by post to:
NACRO, PO Box 344, Hawthorn, Vic. 3122. Receipt of the application will be confirmed by return email.
The National Executive Committee of NACRO reserves the right to accept or reject any membership applications in
accordance with the Constitution.
Level 15, 10 Queens Road MELBOURNE VICTORIA 3004 AUSTRALIA Telephone: +61 3 9866 5443 Email: information@nacro.com.au
