Free TV and computer recycling now available nationally

Australians across the country can recycle their unwanted e-waste for free, as the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme is now available in every state and territory.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, and Federal Member for Bass, Geoff Lyons MP, today officially launched the national availability of scheme services in Tasmania. The launch coincided with the one-year anniversary of the first services under the scheme.

Speaking at the event, Rishworth said the Television and Computer Recycling Scheme services are now available across the country for householders and small businesses to drop off their unwanted TVs and computer products to be recycled, free of charge.

“With services now operating in Launceston, Devonport and Hobart, and the recent rollout of scheme services in the Northern Territory, there are now free recycling drop-off points in every state and territory, and in every capital city,” Rishworth said.

“There are now over 380 ongoing recycling services available across Australia, including 15 in Tasmania. Over 20,000 tonnes of unwanted televisions and computers have already been recycled since the scheme started operation in May last year. That’s equivalent to the weight of 50 full Boeing 747s.”

Lyons said the start of services in Launceston is a welcome addition to recycling options for people in the city and the surrounding area.

“People from across the region are now able to drop off their unwanted televisions and computers at this service for free, safe in the knowledge that these products will be recycled in an environmentally friendly way,” he said.

“Hazardous materials including lead, mercury and zinc will be prevented from entering the local environment and valuable non-renewable resources, including gold and other precious metals, will be saved for re-use.”

Rishworth said the scheme provides a long-term solution to the disposal of e-waste and showcases the successful collaboration of the Australian Government with industry to deliver for the community.

Australia’s first recycling sites in Canberra began collecting waste in May 2012. Since then the ACT has collected and recycled over 3000 tonnes of waste televisions and computers.

Collection events and ongoing drop-off points will continue to roll out throughout 2013, providing access to free recycling drop-off for 97% of Australians.

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme is industry funded and run, but regulated by the Australian Government under the Product Stewardship Act 2011. Industry is also responsible for determining the location and timing of scheme recycling services within the parameters set by government.

Further information on the scheme, including service location details, can be found at http://ww.environment.gov.au/ewaste.

Further information regarding e-waste recycling drop-off points can be found at http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/.