Key Principles and Policies

Requiring producers to take-back and recycle old products is the best way to ensure that they design their products to be less toxic, to last longer, to be repaired and recycled. TEC advocates a number of policies informed by the value of the resources used and their toxicity to the environment.

Reports:
The Great Waste Debate: Extended Producer Responsibility [2003] [789KB]
Framework for Extended Producer Responsibility [2005] [38KB]
Toxic Product Fact Sheet [2006] [43KB]

Campaign overview - Computers, containers and the politics of EPR (09/2006)

Electronic Waste

Australia is moving closer to a scheme for producer responsibility for computers and TVs with a start expected in 2011. TEC helped establish the Let's Do IT! Alliance, comprised of Australia's major computer recylcers, local government and environment groups; and has also negotiated with the computer and TV manufacturers and all 3 levels of government. The campaign aims to ensure that toxic computers, TVs, mobile phones, and peripherals are kept out of landfills and that a vibrant domestic recycling industry emerges.

Our most recent report on the problem - Tipping Point [2009, 1.05MB]

TEC released a model computer take-back scheme as industry and governments seek to grapple with computer waste - Rebyte!

Videos [2009] - Toxic E-Waste Zombies Come to Town, JJJ Hack TV E-Waste

Environment Groups Submission [2009][284kb] to EPHC proposed E-Waste Recycling Scheme [2009][1.58mMB]

Compact with Computer Industry [2009, 31KB]

We examined the industry mobile phone scheme in Mobile Muster Myth Exposed [2007, 434KB]

TEC's Australian Computer Recycling Guide
In the interim TEC has produced the most comprehensive computer recycling guide in Australia, bringing together national and state refurbishers, charities, resellers and recyclers in one easy to use guide.

Other Products

Whitegoods, end-of-life vehicles, batteries, tyres, arsenic treated timber, paints, oils and PVC are all problem wastes because of their volume and toxicity.In a report prepared for the Boomerang Alliance, TEC has reviewed 17 priority products that need to be targeted for product take-back and recycling. It's time for action.
EPR 2005/06 Report

Gas Bottle Briefing [2009, 118KB]

Tyres [2009, 1.02MB]

Lead Acid Battery Report [2007, 373KB]