Computer recycling helps reduce toxic waste

19 SEPTEMBER 2007

National computer recycling event helps keep toxic waste out of landfills

Householders in 12 regions can dispose of their old PCs, computer peripherals and mobile phones in a series of free eDays around the country on September 29 and 30.

The drive-through events enable residents in 12 regions to clear out their garages and cupboards of computer equipment and old mobile phones, to be recycled or disposed of for free.

National organiser, Laurence Zwimpfer, said eDay is giving people the chance to dispose of their electronic waste (e-waste) quickly in an environmentally-friendly way, and was aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of e-waste dumped in landfills.

“Our aim is to reduce the amount of e-waste dumped in our landfills each day,” he said.

Mr Zwimpfer said e-waste and its toxic materials, including lead and mercury from old computers, is globally the fastest growing type of waste being sent to landfill - posing a potential toxic hazard for people, animals and the environment.

He said more than 250,000 obsolete computers are being stored in New Zealand homes. A recent survey by the Computer Access New Zealand Trust (CANZ) estimated over 10 million electronic devices were being used in New Zealand, with nearly one million being added each year.

“With that many computers becoming redundant, and the options to dispose of them very limited, it is important that equipment is recycled or reused wherever possible,” Mr Zwimpfer said.

A Dell pilot computer recycling day held in Wellington last year resulted in 54 tonnes of home computer equipment being collected. “That amount of e-waste collected from one region was phenomenal, considering it was a cars-only event and we didn’t target corporate organisations or government departments,” he said.

Acting Minister for the Environment, Hon David Parker, said landfilling of e-waste was a danger to the environment. “Landfilling e-waste is a danger to our environment and does not allow for the recovery and reuse of material. eDay is an excellent example of how we can divert e-waste from landfill, preventing harm to our precious environment. I urge New Zealand households to help clean up our e-waste by participating in eDay,” he said.

Only computers, computer peripherals, gaming consoles and mobile phones can be disposed of in the eDay collection. Other electronic equipment including televisions will not be accepted.
CANZ advises people to wipe all data from hard drives as well as removable media such as floppy disks and PC cards before handing them over for collection.

The event is supported nationally by CANZ, The Ministry for the Environment, 2020 Communications Trust, Divers, Remarkit and TES-AMM.

The event is being held in Invercargill, Wanaka, Alexandra, Queenstown, Wellington, Wanganui, Rotorua, Whakatane, Tauranga and Hamilton from 9am to 3pm on Saturday 29 September.

eDay will be held on Auckland’s North Shore and Manukau City from 10am to 2pm on Sunday 30 September.

eDay 2007 is a drive-through event and is open to cars only. Businesses and schools are advised to visit www.eday.org.nz for alternate disposal options and more information about e-waste.

ENDS

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