Woollahra Council commended on e-waste recycling

Wednesday, 15 November 2006 01:55

“Woollahra Council has rightly added its voice to the growing call for the NSW Government to act on e-waste. Councils are at the frontline of this fight against toxic waste being dumped in landfill”, said Jane Castle, TEC Campaigner.

“Inaction on e-waste by manufacturers and the State Government is dragging us all into a toxic future.  Computers are full of toxic chemicals, and when they’re dumped in landfills, these can leach out to damage environmental and human health.”

“We encourage other local councils to follow Woollahra’s lead and pass similar motions to encourage the NSW Government act on e-waste.”

2.4 million computers are sold in Australia every year and 1.5 million become waste.  NSW has had the power in legislation to mandate producer responsibility for five years, but despite the mounting toxic waste and the manufacturers’ failure to set up a voluntary scheme, the Government has failed to act.

“We congratulate David Shoebridge, the Greens Councilor who proposed this motion for taking this initiative on the urgent e-waste problem.”