Mrs Noble lives at Lowburn and commutes each day to her new job in Alexandra. She had been a nurse for 30 years, most of that time working in Invercargill.
‘‘There are a lot of aspects of the job I am still learning, and there are a lot of things to learn,'' she said.
She loved the diversity of the people and the interesting challenges the job was providing.
She had made a few changes and was looking forward to taking over where previous manager Clair Higginson left off.
Ms Higginson had carefully grown the business to where it is today and between 45 and 55 people were working each week to collect, sort and stack the huge amount of recycling that came through the gate, Mrs Noble said.
‘‘I am still getting my head around the amount of stuff that comes in and then getting it back out again,'' she said.
‘‘I want to make it a viable business and I am working towards a higher profile in the community. The idea of recycling is definitely out there and people are really getting into it.
‘‘We have people ringing us when they move here from somewhere else, where they have been so used to recycling, and asking how it works here.''
More staffing and more volunteers were needed to help with the growing pile of recycling.
‘‘Volunteers work very hard to do a good job, picking up kerbside recycling as well as recycling from businesses. Those that are coming in to sort are amazing as well, and they are loyal and constant and deserve a big thank you.''
Just 14 people are paid and only four of those are full-time, Mrs Noble said.
The number of commercial properties requesting pick-ups was increasing, and Mrs Noble said she wanted to see more businesses become involved.
The Wastebusters recycling shop was also doing well with its low prices and affordable goods of all kinds, she said.
