Dunedin South Lions Club president Brian Grounds said since the club launched its electrical equipment recycling scheme, it had retrieved and recycled more than 550kg of material.
"In total, we’ve recycled about the same weight as an elephant.
"We recycle almost anything. That includes microwaves, toasters, vacuum cleaners and such."
Mr Grounds said as the club was "all about sustainability and recycling", this project proved to be a good fit.
"It’s been hugely rewarding."
The club collected the material to be recycled from organisations such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity, but it also received donations from the community.
The raw material was then broken down and sold for scrap, with proceeds from the sales going towards community groups and projects.
"There’s quite a lot of work to it — it’s amazing how many screws there are in the back of a television.
"Sometimes I come home and find people have dropped off a dryer at my home for recycling.
"But it’s been the biggest project we’ve been involved in for some time."
Mr Grounds said the group was also raising money for a new basketball court in Concord — so far, members had raised $18,000 of their $25,000 target.
