TV and computer recycling scheme launched in Sydney

Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, has launched free television and computer recycling services in Sydney as part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.

“The delivery of free recycling services in Sydney is another important milestone for the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, which was made possible by the Gillard government’s landmark Product Stewardship legislation,” Senator Farrell said.

“This new service enables Sydneysiders to drop off unwanted TVs and computer products for recycling free of charge, and is available to householders and small businesses.

“People can drop off their unwanted televisions and computers, safe in the knowledge that these products will be recycled in an environmentally friendly way.

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

The Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre in Ingleside - owned by the Warringah, Manly, Mosman and Pittwater Councils - will provide free, ongoing recycling services for televisions, computers and computer products under contract to DHL Supply Chain Australia, which is one of three organisations approved by the government to deliver services under the Scheme.

The site previously accepted television and computer products from local residents but, under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, this service is now available free of charge to all Sydney householders and small businesses.

Senator Farrell said the free recycling service under the scheme is an ongoing arrangement.

“This is one of many services under the scheme that will ultimately be available in Sydney and across NSW, so there is no need to rush - residents can hold onto their unwanted televisions and computer products until a service is available nearby,” Senator Farrell said.

Scheme services are now also operating in Matraville, Dee Why and Wetherill Park and in the ACT, Victoria and South Australia. Further services will be progressively rolled out by the end of 2013 in metropolitan, regional and remote Australia, boosting television and computer recycling rates to 30 per cent in 2012-13 and 80 per cent by 2021-22.

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme is funded and implemented by the television and computer industry and regulated by the Australia Government under the Product Stewardship Act 2011 and the Product Stewardship (Televisions and Computers) Regulation 2011.

Further information on the scheme, including the location, operating times and products accepted by available services, can be found at www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/ewaste/drop-off-points.html