Consultation on computer and TV recycling begins

The Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, in his capacity as Chair of the Environment, Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC), has called for comment on a national approach to dealing with computer and television waste.

The consultation package includes a comprehensive analysis of the community’s willingness to pay for recycling and provides options to promote discussion on a way forward.

Garrett said that at its last meeting, the EPHC committed to finding a solution to the growing problem of unwanted televisions and computers.

“This is the first step in agreeing a solution, and we would like the public to be a key part of this process," he said.

“Community response to the consultation package will help pave the way for new product stewardship arrangements.’’

The formal consultation package includes the report on the choice modelling study on recycling of televisions and computers. This is the first time that choice modelling has been used in a process of this kind and it will provide a qualitative assessment of community attitudes to this issue. This report shows that the community is willing to pay for a television and computer recycling scheme.

The consultation package also includes a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS). This document includes a cost-benefit analysis which assesses a number of management options aimed at increasing the recovery and recycling of end-of-life televisions and computers. These options include a business-as-usual base case, and a number of co-regulatory (where industry runs the scheme and government provides support through regulation) and regulatory options.

“The preliminary findings of the cost-benefit analysis are positive with all options showing a net benefit to the community. No one option stands out as a preferred approach and the outcome of the public consultation process will help inform the final recommendation, " Garrett said.

Public meetings will be held in key cities as part of the consultation process.

Written submissions and comments close on Thursday 13 August 2009.

To find out more about the consultation package and how to have your say, visit www.ephc.gov.au.