Good news for the Environment: E-Waste Stewardship to begin this year
What is E-Waste and what should you do with it??
E Waste refers to electronic/electrical waste. It is estimated that the average Australian household has around 22 different electronic appliances. These are regularly replaced as new items come on the market.
E-Waste needs to be disposed of correctly, as hazardous chemicals can leak into the water table if sent to landfill.
To respond to this, and to help the whole of Australia deal with E-Waste, the Federal Government has developed the National Television and Computer Product Stewardship Scheme to make disposing of household E-Waste much easier. The scheme is part of the Australia Government's Longterm National Waste Policy: Less Waste, More Resources
What does 'Product Stewardship' mean?
The principle of 'product stewardship' means taking responsibility of the environmental impact for a product (from design to disposal).
Stewardship takes many different forms and anyone can be a good steward. An example of a ‘good steward’ would be:
- Recycling the products you no longer need
- Using recycled materials in the production of new things
- Improving the energy efficiency of TVs, computers and other household appliances.
The Product Steward Act acknowledges that this responsibility is shared by all players involved in the production, supply, sale, use and disposal of that product.
Under the new scheme, the manufacturer will be required to contribute a portion of their profit to E-waste recycling. This will push manufacturers to address the total life cycle of a product and make them more environmentally friendly.
The National Television and Computer Product Stewardship Scheme will commence on the 1st of November 2011.
But you can still recycle your E-Waste now!!
Recycling E-Waste
While the Product Stewardship Scheme will be phased in in November this year, you are still able to recycle all E-Waste products like TVs, computers, monitors, printers etc NOW.
This is FREE at Shoal Bay Waste Disposal Site and products are safely disposed of after residents either drop the products off at the entry.
NEVER put electronic equipment in your wheely bins as harmful chemicals and products can leech into the water table if sent straight to landfill.
Under the new scheme recycling E-products will still be FREE.
What else can you do with your old TVs and Computers?
If your television or computer are still in good working order you can extend its useful life by simply finding someone else who needs one or can use it!
Contact friends, family, local second hand shops, local trading post or even Gum Tree to find out who might be interested (you might even find a suitable product there yourself!)
The Scheme
To find out more about the scheme go to National Television and Computer Product Stewardship Scheme.
There is a public consultation period up until the 10th October 2011 and you are invited to write a submission for this scheme.