Industry, Local Government and Green Groups Call for Government Action on Electronic Waste

Tuesday, 04 November 2008

Industry, local government and environment groups have today called on Federal and state governments to take urgent action to divert electronic waste from landfill.

The Total Environment Centre, the Australian Information Industry Association, Product Stewardship Australia and the NSW Local Government Association are urging Ministers ahead of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council meeting on November 7 to fast-track regulation for end-of-life televisions and computers.

John Gertsakis, Executive Officer of Product Stewardship Australia said, “The television industry has done the right thing by the community, but Governments are resisting a national scheme. Since 2005 we’ve allocated significant time and resources into developing a permanent collection and recycling program for end-of-life televisions. Environment Ministers effectively hold the key to TV recycling in Australia, yet no decisive action has been taken by Ministers to enact sensible regulatory intervention.”

Ian McAlister, Executive Director of the Consumer Electronic Suppliers Association, said, “A national regulatory regime to support industry initiatives to manage end-of-life televisions is a top priority for consumer electronic suppliers.  CESA is eager to see the development of regulations and standards to ensure that all consumer electronics companies fulfill their environmental and recycling responsibilities in a fair and equitable way."

Jeff Angel, Executive Director of Total Environment Centre said, “There is a massive disconnect between the community and government on this issue.  When green groups and business get together and advocate effective and urgent action, politicians should know there’s a big problem that needs solving.  Whatever is stopping a comprehensive e-waste recycling scheme, ministers should identify it and eradicate it.”

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association of NSW said, “Local Governments have been shouldering an unfair share of the burden on electronic waste. Ironically, the manufacturers of these products are seeking a fair, national extended producer responsibility system. On 7 November, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council must commit the proper resources to regulatory solutions for e-waste.”

Chief Executive of the Australian Information Industry Association, Ian Birks added that “an appropriate regulatory framework will be essential to creating a successful industry-based end-of-life product recycling scheme for the ICT sector in Australia. Regulation must be universally applied at the Federal level to be effective, and AIIA members support a penalty system for suppliers who are not willing to participate.”