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E Waste infrastructure continues to evolve

Feb 17, 2020

THE Victorian government has announced more funding for local councils to improve electronic waste infrastructure.

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E-Waste – items with a plug, battery or cord – have become the new frontier in recycling.

As one of the biggest consumers of electronic products in the world, Australians sent more than 17 million televisions and 37 million computers to landfill before 2009.

Of the 15 million computers that reached their ‘end of life’ between 2007-2008 only 10 per cent were recycled.

In 2019 to deal with e-waste, one of the fastest growing wastes in the world, the government introduced a state-wide ban on electronic items entering landfill.

The ban means these products are no longer allowed in household bins and must be taken to one of the 1000 purpose built e-waste drop-off points across the state.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said local councils and industry play a crucial role in keeping potentially toxic e-waste out of landfill and these grants will help build a strong and sustainable e-waste resource recovery industry.

“This funding will allow e-waste to be reprocessed locally into valuable products – boosting jobs, supporting local businesses and helping divert more waste from landfill,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.