Caring for Country and delivering First Nations jobs

A First Nations business is leading the way when it comes to recycling, recovery of precious metals and job creation with the company preventing 19 million kilograms of e-waste (electrical and electronic equipment that have been discarded as waste) being sent to landfill since 2019.

That’s the equivalent weight of almost 16,000 small cars, while more than 250,000 IT assets were repurposed for use.

WV Tech based in Canberra specialises in the recovery of precious metals from electronic waste, data sanitisation and destruction, and asset disposal and recycling.

Processing e-waste results in the recovery of critical minerals such as copper, silver, gold and palladium which are then recycled through international partners and recirculated back into supply chains. WV Tech also exports used IT equipment and electronic parts, contributing to the circular economy and keeping these items out of landfill.

The WV team over the past six years has skilfully recovered around 7,000 ounces of gold, 30,000 ounces of silver and over 200 tonnes of pure copper from e-waste. That’s the total equivalent weight of over 200 small cars.

Identifying ways to extract valuable resources without excavating has enabled entrepreneurs and best friends Kurt Gruber and Jamie Miller to build a successful business and social enterprise grounded in circularity.

WV Tech’s vision is for an Australia transformed, not just in terms of sustainability, but through the creation of genuine opportunities for First Nations people where they can define their own success.

With an ambitious target of achieving $10 billion in positive impact, WV has supported 200 First Nations through Worldview programs to date, generating around $31 million in social impact returned to the Australian economy.

Ninety-nine per cent of all material processed is refurbished, reused or recycled.

WV Tech is Australia’s first NAID-AAA (National Association for Information Destruction) certified entity for both data destruction and sanitisation. Its data destruction also meets Australian Government PSPF (Top Secret) clearance.

Starting out in a garage, a collaboration with Telstra in 2019 enabled the business to scale rapidly.

Telstra and WV Tech immediately recognised a powerful partnership could be built on shared values, strong mutually beneficial commercial outcomes and a commitment to sustainable procurement practices.

An increasing focus on data sovereignty, cybersecurity risk and customer demand for sustainability has driven significant growth opportunities for the business.

It has also meant real, practical assistance to workplace training and job creation for Indigenous youth.

WV Tech employs young Indigenous people directly, while also funding training and support through its associated non-profit arm, Worldview Foundation.

Worldview Foundation aims to enhance wellbeing, stable employment and balanced lives for Indigenous people facing disadvantage, including young people at risk, people with disability and ex-detainees.

The program takes a holistic approach to development – covering health, nutrition, exercise, social connection, culture, skills training, employment and accommodation giving participants a strong start to a career with recognised credentials and certification.

WV Tech Managing Director Kurt Gruber.

In recognition of its leadership, WV Tech was named Indigenous Exporter of the Year at Supply Nation’s Supplier Diversity Awards in 2025.

“The volume of precious metals recovered is staggering and it’s not only a sustainability win but also a cultural one. Recovering precious metals from e-waste is better for the environment as it means we’re reusing what we already have.” WV Tech Managing Director Kurt Gruber said.

“By recycling precious metals and keeping more from being extracted, we are protecting and caring for Country in a modern way – something our Indigenous team can feel very proud of.”

Supply Nation CEO Kate Russell said WV Tech was a powerful example of how Indigenous businesses are leading innovation while delivering tangible benefits for communities and the environment.

“Through its commitment to sustainability, job creation, and cultural connection, WV Tech is creating a lasting impact and setting a benchmark for supplier diversity across Australia,” she said.