Over 3,000 tonnes of e-waste had been recovered in the first year of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, announced Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury.
“Since the introduction of the scheme on 15 May 2012, the Canberra community has handed over 3,076 tonnes of televisions and computers for recycling to the Mitchell and Mugga Lane Transfer Stations, equating to roughly 8.6 tonnes of e-waste per day,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“The ACT was the first jurisdiction to implement this national scheme and there is no doubt it has been fully embraced by the community.”
“In the 2010-11 financial year, before the scheme was introduced, a total of 795 tonnes of televisions and computers were recycled. For that figure to rise to 3,076 in the first year of the scheme only confirms its success. There has also been a significant drop in illegal dumping of televisions and computers since the scheme commenced.”
Mr Rattenbury said that the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme is designed to boost recycling rates for televisions and computers and provide a long-term solution to e-waste.
“The scheme is important as e-waste products make up an increasing part of the overall waste stream, contain valuable materials that can be re-used and contain hazardous materials which need to be managed in a safe manner,” he continued.
To further assist Canberrans dispose of unwanted televisions, computers and computer products, a free e-waste collection event will be held between 9 am and 4 pm on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May 2013. TechCollect, a nationwide not-for-profit recycling service will provide two temporary drop-off/collection sites for the event – one in Ainslie at the Majura Oval car park on Angas Street and one at the Makin Place car park on Makin Place in Deakin.
Mr Rattenbury said that more e-waste collection sites in the ACT are expected to be in place coming months. These may take a variety of forms such as weekend collection events or drop off sites at retail stores, similar to measures in other parts of Australia.
“Having multiple providers in the marketplace will lead to more options for the community on how they dispose of their unwanted televisions and computers.”
DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited is the present provider of the free, ongoing recycling service for Canberra and the surrounding region to dispose of televisions, computers and computer products such as printers, keyboards, mice and hard drives, and operates out of the Mitchell and Mugga Lane Transfer Stations.
The scheme does not cover other electronic waste such as mobile phones, which are already covered by the voluntary scheme MobileMuster, or DVD players and video recorders.
Further details about the free e-waste recycling in the ACT is available at http://www.tams.act.gov.au/.
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