14 January 2014

1,539 tonnes of e-waste in 2013

| johnboy
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Shane Rattenbury is putting a brave face on a mountain of outdated tech and tvs thrown out last year:

Over 1,500 tonnes of e-waste was recycled in 2013, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury announced today.

“From 1 January to 31 December 2013, the Canberra community handed over 1,539 tonnes of televisions and computers for recycling to the Mitchell and Mugga Lane Transfer Stations,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“The ACT was the first jurisdiction to implement the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme on 15 May 2012 and it is pleasing to see the community continues to embrace the opportunity to appropriately dispose of unwanted e-waste for free.

“The national scheme is designed to boost recycling rates for televisions and computers and provide a long-term solution to e-waste. This is important as these products make up an increasing part of the overall waste stream, contain valuable materials that can be re-used and contain hazardous materials which need to be managed in a safe manner.

“Since the scheme was introduced, a total of 3,674 tonnes have been recovered, equating to roughly six tonnes of e-waste per day. There has also been a significant drop in illegal dumping of televisions and computers since the scheme commenced.”

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“The ACT was the first jurisdiction to implement the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme on 15 May 2012″

For free? Man… I must’ve been living under a rock for the past 2 years, as I’ve been waiting for those weekends when one can dump old computers at some place in Fyshwick – legitimately.

Oh well, better late than never. Time to go borrow a friend’s trailer.

Kerb side removal is interesting, but my body corporate have actually done something about it. Twice a year we get a skip delivered so we can throw out waste.

I’m sure streets or neighbourhoods could do the same thing if they wanted to.

curmudgery said :

And removing any impediment to getting rid of people’s old stuff is good for the relevant retail industry.

Now, if we could extend that to having an annual kerb-side rubbish removal service, things would be better still. After the first few rounds, a lot of the true rubbish would be in the tip, the Green Shed would get the interesting stuff while Vinnies, Salvos etc would get the second-hand furniture. Our houses and yards would be cleaner and we could all approach the retail industry with a clear conscience.

How about it, Mr R?

Because taking it there yourself or organising for somebody else to do it is way too hard!!!

And removing any impediment to getting rid of people’s old stuff is good for the relevant retail industry.

Now, if we could extend that to having an annual kerb-side rubbish removal service, things would be better still. After the first few rounds, a lot of the true rubbish would be in the tip, the Green Shed would get the interesting stuff while Vinnies, Salvos etc would get the second-hand furniture. Our houses and yards would be cleaner and we could all approach the retail industry with a clear conscience.

How about it, Mr R?

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