Individuals and businesses can drop off their old computers and mobile phones at a somewhat leisurely pace in Tauranga from Monday.
Tauranga-based company Computer Recyclers has organised an eWeek to replace the eDay event that was scrapped by Environment Bay of Plenty earlier this month.
If successful, the week-long event, which has the support of Environment Bay of Plenty and the Tauranga City Council, could be held more regularly.
Neale Overend, owner of Computer Recyclers, said his staff had received calls from more than 60 people who were frustrated the eDay hadn’t gone ahead as expected.
“There was a lot of disappointment but the problem with eDay was that businesses couldn’t recycle their electronic waste.
“During eWeek, we’re allowing businesses to come down and dispose of their e-waste if they want to.”
The drop-off point is at 124 Aerodrome Rd. It will operate from 8am to 5pm from November 29 to December 3.
In keeping with the popular style of eDay, motorists can simply drive in and remain in their vehicles while a team of 18 volunteers pick up their unwanted items.
Neale says anything that plugs into a computer can be dropped off – hard drives, printers, keyboards, mice and monitors. Mobile phones and LCD TVs will also be accepted.
Last year, Environment Bay of Plenty and local councils spent $29,000 on eDay events.
The cost of Tauranga’s eDay event at Baypark Stadium, where 56 tonnes of e-waste was dropped off, was $17,000.
The other $12,000 was spent on other eDay events in Whakatane and Rotorua.
Neale says spreading the event over five days will be more convenient for users.
“People will have more time to get in, they won’t have to panic or wait in long queues and there will be less of a traffic problem.”
After eWeek, Neale and his team will sort through the tonnes of electronic equipment and identify anything that can be repaired and reused.
“We will reuse what’s viable and give it to schools or community groups.”
