10 September 2014, Melbourne – With spring now upon us, TechCollect, a free not-for-profit national electronic waste (e-waste) recycling service operating under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS), is asking Aussies to think above and beyond just clothes and old papers when it comes to ‘spring cleaning’ – extending the clean-up to old technology lying around the home.
Australians are buying more than four million computers and three million televisions every year, but the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) is currently only collecting about 35 per cent of Australia’s e-waste, with the aim of collecting 80 per cent by 2022 . The need for this scheme is urgent as by 2027, the cumulative volume of televisions and computers at the end of their lifecycle is expected to reach 181,000 tonnes or 44 million units.
Carmel Dollisson, CEO, TechCollect said, “We need to raise awareness in the community about how computers and TVs contain valuable resources, such as glass, plastic and metals, which can be reused in new products. If we throw out our unwanted technology, these resources are lost forever. There’s also the possibility that they may contain materials which are hazardous to the environment when disposed of inappropriately.”
“Australia is leading on the global scale when it comes to technology consumption and at TechCollect we’re encouraging the community to come together to take greater responsibility for our technology purchases at end-of-life, while offering a viable solution for their free, easy and safe disposal”, added Carmel.
With e-waste on the rapid incline, growing three times the rate of general waste, TechCollect is putting a call out for Aussies to tackle e-waste this spring – here’s their top tips:
Top 5 tips for the E-waste spring clean
1. Get the E-waste 101: E-waste – what is it exactly? Familiarise yourself with what can be recycled in your home before rushing into a spring clean-up.
2. Make a checklist: Visit techcollect.com.au to find out exactly what e-waste they can recycle for you. Write down every room in the house and identify what you can bring in and drop off at your nearest TechCollect service from each room. Old computers, tablets, printers, laptops and TVs? Recycle it all and your home will thank you.
3. Be in the know: As well as visiting techcollect.com.au you can contact your local council and educate yourself about community e-waste initiatives or to find out where your nearest e-waste collection point is. Pop a date in the calendar and commit an afternoon to helping the environment.
4. Safety first: Remember to always permanently erase personal data from any computer, tablet or laptop you plan to recycle. For more information on how to do this contact the manufacturer of your device or search online for data wiping services.
5. Get good karma: Encourage your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to get involved to recycle their e-waste too. Why? Because Karma will be on your side.
ENDS
For more information or to find your nearest TechCollect e-waste collection site, visit www.techcollect.com.au or call 1300 229 837.
Contact:
Howorth Communications Emily Donnelly Emily@howorth.com.au 02 8281 3237 0423 159 473
ABOUT TECHCOLLECT: TechCollect is a free national e-waste recycling service funded by many of Australia’s leading technology importers and manufacturers dedicated to responsible recycling, including Toshiba, Canon, Epson, HP, Fuji Xerox, Dell, Panasonic and many others. TechCollect is committed to setting the highest Australian standard for responsible recycling of e-waste. It is Australia’s only Government approved, industry backed, not-for-profit e-waste recycling service under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. Visit techcollect.com.au for more information and to find your nearest collection site.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL TELEVISION AND COMPUTER RECYCLING SCHEME: The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme combines government regulation with industry action to take responsibility for safe recycling of electronic waste. The scheme is funded and run by industry and regulated by the Australian Government, with the aim of providing Australian householders and small business access to free e-waste recycling services.