13 June
2006 - A cure for the environmental headache caused
by Australia's love affair with computers became
closer today when a roundtable meeting of governments
and industry chaired by the Australian Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian
Campbell, agreed on a key set of guidelines to
develop a computer recycling scheme.
Senator Campbell said the agreement
was the most significant progress made since talks
on tackling the problem started two years ago.
“Today's meeting gives me confidence
that a detailed approach to solving this difficult
issue is not far away,” he said.
“One of the main sticking points
in the past has been how to deal with historical
waste and orphan products. We now have a commitment
that industry will take responsibility for these
areas and will come forward with a program that
covers all of Australia, is free to consumers
and is managed by the industry.
“There are roughly 9 million
computers, 5 million printers and 2 million scanners
in households and businesses across Australia.
An estimated 1.6 million computers are thrown
away each year, most of them into landfill.
“Computers contain many valuable
products which can be salvaged through recycling,
but they also contain some chemicals and hazardous
substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium --
some of which are recovered in the recycling process,
but most are not.
“We do not want these chemicals
damaging our soils and waterways.”
Senator Campbell said the meeting
in Canberra, attended by 25 Australian, state,
territory and local governments and industry representatives,
agreed that a working group would meet in Sydney
later this month to develop a detailed working
model for dealing with unwanted computers.
“I am delighted that we have
moved towards a more sustainable future and that
more manufacturers have agreed to better manage
their products once they have finished their useful
life.
“Both government and industry
have committed to meet regularly – to ensure that
this issue keeps moving forward.”
Attached is an outline of the
that lists the key features and benefits of the
national computer recycling scheme. / Rob Broadfield
Industry Scheme - Key features
and benefits
Based on shared responsibility between Government,
industry and other stakeholders
Collect all EOL IT equipment* for environmentally
responsible disposal and recycling (offering the
community an alternative to landfill)
Includes Historic and Orphan products
Meets environmental objectives at lowest cost
for industry and consumers.
Simple for consumers/end user
Capitalises on existing public infrastructure
(simple & reduces cost)
Based on a system where the cost of recycling
are built into the cost of sale
Registration at point of import is a key consideration
(narrowest point and addresses everybody)
Scaleable for national coverage and can co-exist
with other take-back schemes
Has strong regulatory underpinning that is prompt,
effective and national in scope.
Has effective enforcement mechanisms to ensure
broad take-up across the industry.
Within the regulatory model, there is recognition
and reward for brand leadership
There is no scope for free-riders in this regulatory
environment.
