An ambitious eight-year-old Ipswich boy is proving it’s never too early to start saving for your first home.
Cooper Riri lives at Brentwood Forest at Bellbird Park and has been making a name for himself among locals after setting an ambitious goal to save enough money for a house deposit before he finishes high school.
While he is too young to get a job, Cooper has been doing rubbish runs with his father, Karl Riri, since mid-2018 to trade in his neighbours’ rubbish for cash.
“Cooper and I regularly go around our community and local businesses to collect items which can be recycled, reused and resold,” Mr Riri said.
“This includes materials like scrap metal, furniture and most recycling bottles for the Containers for Change scheme.
“The response from the community has been wonderful, Cooper now has about 11 regular customers he collects recyclable rubbish from.”
Since starting his recycling project, Cooper has saved $1,500 towards his first home deposit.
As well as saving for his goal, Cooper’s efforts are having a positive impact on the environment.
“Collecting recyclable rubbish helps me to get closer to my goal as well as help our environment,” Cooper said.
“By recycling as much as we can it means less stuff will end up in landfill, and the more we can do to help the environment the better off our country and world will be when I am an adult.”
Brentwood Forest is being developed by AVID Property Group and Development Manager Queensland Peter MacLeod said Cooper was a credit to the community.
“It is truly inspiring to see one of our youngest residents doing their part in protecting our community from plastic and rubbish pollution,” he said.
To follow Cooper on his recycling journey visit www.facebook.com/number1recyclingkid
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