Sep
24

By

Ewaste set to blow-out with no dumping

Category: E-waste Recycling, Uncategorized

A spiralling electronic waste (ewaste) problem could see nearly four million television sets and personal computers — each containing toxic cathode ray tubes — dumped in the next few years, a new report says.
The eDay New Zealand Trust’s report was released in the wake of a decision by the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund to deny funding for this year’s eDay waste collection.
“Our desire for the latest gadget has resulted in this huge environmental crisis in New Zealand and the world,” trust chair Laurence Zwimpfer said.
“Computer sales are on the increase and we are facing a disposal deluge of CRT TVs with the imminent switch to digital television in September 2012.”
The trust has called on the industry and the Government to work together to solve the increasing problem through a national co-regulatory ewaste product stewardship based recycling scheme.
“We are not talking about heavy handed government intervention. We’re calling on the Government to give the IT and TV industries a clear commitment to support an industry managed scheme with the necessary regulations to ensure all suppliers and importers contribute equitably to the costs of a national recycling scheme,” Mr Zwimpfer said.
The news of the funding denial was a “huge blow to the 60 communities that participated in eDay last year and have been encouraging their citizens to store their ewaste for this year’s event, that is now not likely to happen”, he said.
However Mr Zwimpfer said the eDay Trust would continue to look for alternative ways to provide a free ewaste disposal service to communities until product stewardship was in place.

– HAWKES BAY TODAY

Sep
24

By

Helping solve e-waste crisis

Category: E-waste Recycling

The launch of an e-waste service in Masterton is a step in the direction of finding a viable, long-term solution to electronic waste, says Councillor Chris Peterson.

E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in New Zealand, with about 80,000 tonnes being disposed of each year.

The new e-waste service is available at the Wairarapa Resource Centre. Residents can drop off their old computers, printers, fax machines and other unwanted electronic items for recycling.

Mr Peterson, who is on the resource centre committee, said e-waste contained some “nasties” and toxic chemicals, and New Zealanders were producing “mountains of the stuff”.

“A landfill is not a good place for it.”

He said many electronic gadgets were manufactured using expensive and rare resources.

Mr Peterson said the council wanted to raise awareness and provide a year-round service.

“I used to be involved with eDay, a day once a year where we could take all your [electronic] stuff for free.

“The Government realises that one day a year isn’t going to do it, they’re trying to encourage facilities that run over the year,” he said.

He said council was subsidising the service, which cost $10 per television and $5 for other items.

It is anticipated an increased subsidy on TVs will be available in the coming weeks, which will allow them to be recycled at the $5 rate. The service began on Tuesday.

– WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE

Sep
23

By

Old mobiles phones won’t go to waste

Category: E-waste Recycling

Old Mobile phones can now be recycled at Vodafone, 2degrees and Telecom stores across the Bay under a new recycling scheme.

Environment Minister Amy Adams yesterday announced the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum’s (TCF) old mobile phones recycling programme had received government recognition.

The scheme, known as RE:MOBILE, is the first product stewardship scheme dealing with e-waste was accredited under the Waste Minimisation Act.

RE:MOBILE aims to increase the number of phones collected annually for reuse or recycling to nearly 300,000, reduce the number of mobile phones going to landfill by 2 per cent, and reduce the number of old phones stored at home by 10 per cent by 2020.

Ms Adams said Old Mobile phones was a growing issue as New Zealanders increasingly own multiple devices, such as phones, computers and tablets.

“On average, New Zealanders replace their old mobile phones every 18 months, leading to a significant number of phones available for reuse or recycling.

“In fact, it is estimated that each year up to three million old mobile phones become obsolete in New Zealand. Of those, only about 2 per cent are recycled,” she said.

Ms Adams said there was significant potential for improved efficiency in the use of resources if New Zealanders can capture and process e-waste.

“Voluntary schemes, such as the  mobile phone scheme, are helping New Zealanders recycle resources wisely and raise awareness of the opportunities to do more to minimise waste.”

Vodafone, Telecom and 2degrees have in-store recycling bins around New Zealand where people can drop off their old mobile phones.

They also offer a free mail-in service for old phones, and there are regular community-based recycling campaigns.

The old mobile phones are sorted into those that can be sold overseas for reuse and those suitable for recycling.

Old Mobile phones are sent to local recyclers for dismantling before the parts are sold overseas.

The scheme covers mobile and smart phones, their batteries and accessories such as chargers, data cables and head-sets.