National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme 2012-2013 results

The Department of the Environment has released a report on the outcomes of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme from 2012-13. The report found that in its first year of operation, industry supported the highest levels of e-waste recycling ever seen in Australia, recycling the equivalent of four Eiffel Towers in weight.

Established by the Australian Government on behalf of state, territory and local governments, the aim of the scheme is to increase the level of industry engagement to deal with television and computer waste. Companies importing or manufacturing over a specified threshold of television or computer products must join and fund an approved co-regulatory arrangement to provide collection and recycling services on their behalf.

Under the scheme, the television and computer industry’s target for 2012-13 was to recycle 30% (or 41,327 tonnes) of e-waste arising in Australia during the financial year, with the states and territories responsible for the remaining 70%. Industry’s recycling target will increase gradually to 80% of the available waste in 2021-22.

A total of 40,813 tonnes of televisions and computers was recycled under the scheme in 2012-13 - 98.8% of the target and almost double the estimated level of recycling prior to the scheme’s introduction. Industry also provided 635 e-waste collection services to communities in metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.

The report can be found here.