By Angela Dorizas

South Australia is ready to kick-start the national e-waste recycling scheme agreed to by environment ministers last week, according to SA Environment and Conservation Minister Jay Weatherill.

Mr Weatherill said the state’s container deposit scheme, which had been in operation for 30 years, provided the necessary infrastructure for e-waste collection and recycling. 

Zero Waste SA conducted a survey of the bottle and can depots across the state to gauge their willingness to participate in the collection of televisions and computers.

“That survey shows that 80 per cent of about 115 depots would be keen to participate in e-waste recycling if a scheme were developed,” Mr Weatherill said.

The SA Government recently introduced a state-wide grant scheme to assist 30 regional and metropolitan councils in collecting e-waste from households.

Mr Weatherill said SA boasted the only TV and computer cathode ray tube recycling facility in the southern hemisphere.  The facility was established earlier this year with the support of a $292,000 State Government grant.

“We are moving to ban e-waste from landfill through the waste to resources policy, which is being finalised following consultation with the community earlier this year,” he said.

“Because of South Australia’s leadership in this area, I am confident that industry will look favourably upon this State when it considers a national scheme.”