Trial E-Waste Recycling Project
E-waste is the term used for computer equipment that is unwanted, and has no resale value or market. Types of e-waste include towers (i.e. white boxes), monitors, printers, key boards and laptops.
Not only does e-waste take up valuable space in landfill sites, computer monitors typically consist of CRT (cathode ray tube) glass, which is made of lead. When disposed to landfill, lead can leach from the crushed glass and contaminate groundwater. CRTs can comprise of the largest proportion (by weight) of lead entering the solid waste stream. A normal 10kg monitor contains 1.25kg of lead, and when in large numbers these monitors can be seen as hazardous waste.
The Trial Project SIMS E-Recycling has established a viable market for all materials found within the e-waste stream, including ferrous and non-ferrous materials, plastics and the CRT glass. A cost is normally charged for the disposal of e-waste at dismantling facilities, however as part of this trial project, SIMS are offering Councils the opportunity to recycle for free!
Six Councils have taken up the offer to be part of this project, including Bathurst Regional Council, Orange City Council, Parkes Shire Council, Wellington Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Cowra Shire Council. Residents in these Council areas will be invited to drop-off their e-waste during the months of February and March 2007, where it will be sent to Sydney for recycling. Dates and locations of the drop-off points will be advertised in the local newspaper and on television.
For further information on this project, please contact:
NetWaste Projects Co-ordinator
Ph + 61 2 6393 8770
