Green Groups Back Industry Call for TV Take-Back Regulation

Wednesday, 14 April 2004 10:00

 "TV manufacturers have taken an important first step by proposing a scheme to collect end-of-life TVs for recycling," said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre. "We call on Federal and State Environment Ministers to improve on the scheme by ensuring all brands join the scheme to stop TVs poisoning the environment and wasting resources."
 
The Environment Protection and Heritage Council, which includes all State and Federal Environment Ministers, will meet in Adelaide tomorrow to discuss the future of the scheme. Electronics manufacturers such as Sony, Sharp, NEC, Samsung and Panasonic support the scheme in which the collection and recycling of used TVs would be funded by a small recycling fee charged at the point of sale of new TVs.

"Ministers should commit to national regulations to ensure all importers and local producers of TVs take part in the scheme, not just the proactive companies," said Suzie Brown, Environment Victoria's Sustainable Consumption Campaigner.

"The electronics industry should be congratulated for initiating this badly-needed TV recycling scheme. Thousands of televisions go into Australia's landfills every year which includes tonnes of heavy metals which can leach into the environment."

"We have no doubt the scheme with a small recycling fee will be supported by the community," said Mr Angel. "A pro-active move now at the Federal level would improve the scheme, strengthen industry confidence and demonstrate the Government's commitment to sustainability. However, whether or not the Ministers support the scheme, manufacturers must abide by new NSW regulations which require a producer responsibility scheme within 12 months."

TVs have been targeted as a 'waste of concern' by the Department of Environment and Conservation in NSW. The Department has given industry 12 months to develop an effective take-back scheme or be liable for mandatory regulations.

Up to 15,000 tonnes of TVs are dumped in unlined, NSW landfills every year. TVs contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromates which can leach into the environment and damage human and environmental health.
 

For further information

Contact
:
Jeff Angel or Jane Castle
Phone
:
61 2 9299 5680
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:
http://www.tec.org.au/