Computers and Electronic Goods (E-Waste)

What is e-waste?

E-waste is the term used for all waste from electronic equipment that is unwanted, cannot be reused and has no resale value or market, but can be recycled into new products.  It has been created by the rapidly changing technology used by all sections of the community, which sees us replace old electronic equipment on a regular basis.

What items make up e-waste?

Many people think that e-waste only applies to computers; however it includes a range of electronic items that we use at home and in our workplaces.  The list includes Computer Equipment; Business and Home Office Equipment and Entertainment Equipment.

Why is e-waste a problem?

  • E-waste is one of the fastest growing types of waste in the community. 
  • Computers and other electronic equipment are made from hundreds of different materials.  Many of these materials are inherently valuable, such as gold and platinum, and many are non-renewable.  If they can be extracted they can be reused in manufacture again as a 'secondary' raw material.
  • Heavy metals including lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic are used in electronic equipment.  When disposed of they can leach from landfill tips into the water table.
  • Printer inks and toners often contain toxic materials such as carbon black and cadmium.
  • E-waste takes up valuable space in landfill sites. 

What are the benefits of recycling e-waste?

  • Saving landfill space due to reduced e-waste volumes entering landfill
  • Recovery of raw materials such as glass, metals and plastic
  • Reduced potential contamination of landfill sites through the removal of e-waste

What is Council doing about e-waste

Council has been working with member Councils of the North East Waste Forum (Tweed, Ballina, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley Councils) to examine what options there are for a permanent e-waste Recycling Program.

The North East Waste Forum has considered a range of options for providing recycling facilities for E-Waste and concluded that the preferred model is to provide permanent drop off facilities for E-Waste at Waste Management Facilities.

Council will consider a report on the proposed E-Waste recycling program on 11 June 2007. If Council resolves to implement E waste recycling, it is expected that the drop off service would be available from July 2009.

Under the proposed program the collected E-Waste would be transported to Brisbane for recycling. Recovery rates of up to 98% can be achieved, that is, up to 98% by weight of the incoming items can be recovered and sent for reprocessing.

E-waste Recycling is Very Expensive

E-waste is a growing waste stream that currently costs in the order of 10 times the cost of disposal to recycle. The emergence of an E-waste recycling industry has provided an opportunity to recycle this waste stream on a large scale.

There has been increasing awareness of the ability to recycle E-waste among the community and there are growing expectations that Councils should provide this service. At the same time, the Local Government and Shires Association have been lobbying to have a national system for recycling E-waste introduced.

The Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) recently announced a commitment to establishing a national scheme for recycling of televisions and computers, and have committed to further evaluate a national scheme for all E Waste. The EPHC will consider the scheme in more detail in November 2009. It is expected that it will be some time before a national E-Waste recycling scheme commences.

The LGSA has recognized that councils may be well placed to provide such a service through their existing infrastructure, however is of the view that industry should be paying for the provision of this service. The basis of the LGSA position is that the cost of E-waste recycling should be met via a levy on the sale of computers.

Enquiries: Russell Chaplin 02 6626 7156

For more information please visit the North East Waste Forum website.