From Heartbreak to Hope: Kenmore Mum’s e-Waste Connection Charity Empowers People with Disabilities

What began as a small initiative in Kenmore has grown into a life-changing charity, eWaste Connection, empowering people with disabilities while tackling the environmental crisis of e-waste.



Joshua and Monique, a mother-son duo, created the eWaste Connection charity to change the world, proving that passion and purpose can make a powerful difference.

It all started when Joshua, who lives with an acquired brain injury, discovered a love for taking things apart. In their Kenmore home, Monique noticed Joshua dismantling anything electronic he could get his hands on, from old TVs to computers.

Seeing his passion, she was inspired to create a safe space in their community where he and others with disabilities could thrive. She realised that other people with disabilities could also benefit from a supportive environment to learn new skills and contribute to the community.

Recycling with a Purpose

 eWaste Connection Charity
Photo Credit: eWasteConnection

eWaste Connection accepts all kinds of electronic waste, from old televisions and computers to mobile phones and batteries.  Volunteers and participants work together to dismantle the items, separating valuable components for recycling. Nearly 95% of what comes through their doors is recycled, repurposed, or reused. Almost everything is recycled, repurposed, or reused, with some refurbished goods sold to the public at affordable prices or donated to other charities.

The charity operates workshops in Kenmore, Yeronga, and North Booval, providing opportunities for over 250 NDIS participants and numerous volunteers.  To date, they have recycled more than 400,000 kilograms of e-waste, a staggering achievement that prevents harmful materials from ending up in landfills.

Benefits for the Community

 eWaste Connection Charity
Photo Credit: eWasteConnection

For participants like Robbie Kennedy, eWaste Connection has been life-changing. Robbie says he loves coming to the workshop and has made many friends.  He has learned to use power tools and gained valuable work experience.  For Adrian Mateo, who has Down Syndrome, the work has improved his fine motor skills and given him a sense of belonging.

eWaste Connection is good for the environment and fosters a strong sense of community. Volunteers appreciate the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends, and contribute to a worthy cause.  Ben Fehres, the manager of the Yeronga facility, started as a volunteer after losing his job during COVID. He now enjoys working in the disability sector and finds seeing the participants accomplish new tasks satisfying.

Looking to the Future

 eWaste Connection Charity
Photo Credit: eWasteConnection/ Facebook

Monique Lowndes is proud of eWaste Connection’s impact on the community and the environment. 



She hopes to expand the charity further, providing more opportunities for people with disabilities to thrive and belong.  She believes eWaste Connection is an example of how social enterprise can benefit people and the planet.

Published Date 02-January-2025

Kenmore Hills eWaste Connection Nominated for 2023 WasteSMART People’s Choice Award

eWaste Connection, a community initiative in Kenmore Hills that provides a lifeline for people with disabilities and promotes e-waste reduction and sustainability, is one of the standout finalists for the annual WasteSMART People’s Choice Award.



eWaste Connection runs workshops for individuals with disabilities six days a week. Together, they recycle, repair, or refurbish all types of electronic and electrical waste. 

The refurbished items are then donated to domestic violence refuges and other charitable organisations, which sell them at affordable prices. In 2022, the eWaste Connection community volunteered an impressive total of 4,914 hours, diverting a staggering 114,642 kilograms of e-waste from ending up in landfills.

How eWaste Connection Started

Monique Lowndes, a dedicated mother, embarked on a mission to provide a meaningful purpose for her son with disabilities. Her inspiration came from noticing her son’s fascination with disassembling electronic devices, which led her and her family to establish a group dedicated to dismantling electronic materials and finding ways to recycle their components.

Today, their initiative is thriving, with new locations and over 230,000 kilograms of eWaste recycled. More than 250 participants have engaged in eWaste workshops, underscoring the growing demand for their work in the community.

The significance of their efforts goes beyond recycling. They offer valuable opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged members of the community, providing them with a sense of purpose. Furthermore, they extend support to the families and caregivers of the participants by offering much-needed respite.

The project’s remarkable efforts have earned them recognition in the past, with eWaste Connection previously receiving the WasteSMART Community Award in 2020 and the WasteSMART Business Award in 2022. Their consistent commitment to sustainability and community engagement has led to their nomination as an All-Star finalist for the 2023 WasteSMART People’s Choice Award.

Monique is also a member of the Rotary Club of Kenmore

About the WasteSMART Awards

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, spoke enthusiastically about the WasteSMART Awards. 

“Brisbane is recognised as Australia’s cleanest and greenest capital city, and I want to make sure it gets even better for future generations. The WasteSMART People’s Choice Award recognises individuals, community groups, and businesses who undertake waste-smart activities with a $350 prize up for grabs,” he said.

The People’s Choice category includes various finalists, ranging from charity and not-for-profit groups diverting various types of waste from landfills to innovative businesses using methods such as worm farms, establishing produce gardens, and creating in-house sustainability teams. These finalists are exemplary examples of the sustainability initiatives that are helping to maintain Brisbane’s reputation as a clean and green city.



The WasteSMART Awards, organised by the Brisbane Sustainability Agency on behalf of the Brisbane City Council, are proudly sponsored by Containers for Change Queensland, Cleanaway, and The University of Queensland. The winners in the 12 WasteSMART Award categories, with a combined prize pool of over $4,000, will be announced during a ceremony at Brisbane City Hall in November 2023.

Published 17-Oct-2023