By Rob O’Brien The Federal Government is calling for feedback on a national approach to dealing with e-waste.
Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, as Chair of the Environment, Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC), has called for comment on a national approach to dealing with computer and television waste.
The consultation package includes a comprehensive analysis of the community’s willingness to pay for recycling and provides options to promote discussion on a way forward.
Garrett said the EPHC was committed to finding a solution to the growing problem of unwanted televisions and computers.
"This is the first step in agreeing a solution, and we would like the public to be a key part of this process.
"Community response to the consultation package will help pave the way for new product stewardship arrangements."
According to CleanUp Australia only 5 per cent of discarded computers will be recycled, nearly 20 per cent will be put in storage and 10 per cent will go to landfill. It is estimated that more than 200,000 computers go to landfill every year.
The formal consultation package includes the report on the choice modelling study on recycling of televisions and computers.
According to the report communities are willing to pay for a television and computer recycling scheme, and Garrett said that the consultation would play an important role in any recommendations.
“No one option stands out as a preferred approach and the outcome of the public consultation process will help inform the final recommendation,” Garrett said.
Public meetings will be held in key cities as part of the consultation process. Written submissions and comments close on Thursday 13 August 2009.
Find out more about the consultation package and how to have your say by visiting http://www.ephc.gov.au/
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