The Government has announced plans to start a nation wide e-waste recycling program to be underway by 2011. The program aims to keep the ever mounting pile of old computers, TV's and other electronic items out of landfill sites.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett said householders will be able to drop off outdated equipment for recycling free of charge, with the new scheme expected to put 80 per cent of all old TVs and computers into recycling facilities by 2021.
In 2007-08, nearly 17 million old TVs, computers and related products reached the end of their useful lives, but the overwhelming majority - 84 per cent - were sent to the local dump. Only 10 per cent of this equipment was recycled, and the mountain of e-waste continues to grow.
Under the new national waste policy, manufacturers will have the option to join accredited, voluntary, industry-run schemes, although the government will ensure non-participants must comply with the same standards through mandatory or co-regulatory arrangements.
Certainly good news for the environment.
(Source: The Australian.)
