Free TV and computer recycling scheme for Victoria

Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, has launched a free television and computer recycling service in Melbourne, as part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.

The Local Member for Maribyrnong, Minister Bill Shorten, welcomed the launch and said the service allows householders and small businesses to drop off unwanted TVs and computer products for recycling free of charge.

“The introduction of this service in Moonee Valley is another milestone for the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, which was made possible by the Gillard government’s landmark Product Stewardship legislation,” Minister Shorten said.

“This service will deliver significant environmental benefits through increased recycling because it provides Melburnians with free recycling alternatives for their unwanted televisions and computers.”

Senator Farrell said the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme helps to prevent hazardous materials including lead, mercury and zinc from entering the environment and increase the recovery and re-use of valuable non-renewable resources, including gold and other precious metals.

“Importantly, it will also boost the national television and computer recycling rate to 30% in 2012-13 and 80% by 2021-22, providing a long-term solution to the environmental impacts of television and computer waste,” Senator Farrell said.

“The service is the first to be delivered under the TechCollect program, established by the Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform, which has been approved by the Australian Government to deliver services under the national scheme.

“The scheme will progressively roll out across Australia by the end of 2013 and there will soon be other services available in Melbourne and across the state. The service here in Moonee Valley is an ongoing arrangement, so there is no need for residents to rush to get rid of their TVs or computers.”

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme is funded and implemented by the television and computer industry and regulated by the Australia Government under the Product Stewardship Act 2011 and the Product Stewardship (Televisions and Computers) Regulation 2011.

Further information on the scheme can be found at www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/ewaste/index.html.