Now that the madness of the festive season has been and gone, along with most of the New Year resolutions you swore would last more than a couple of days, perhaps it’s a good time to focus on a New Year’s resolution that will not only make you feel good but will also make a global difference.
What we’re talking about is making a determined effort to recycle e-waste responsibly. So, rather than calling it a New Year’s resolution, up the ante and call it a New Year’s revolution.
Electronic-waste includes all types of white goods, from large items like refrigerators, televisions and washing machines to small appliances like toasters and kettles. All of these products not only contain toxic substances that contribute to pollution but also contain many elements than can effectively be recycled, reused or repurposed to avoid ending up as landfill.
E-waste also includes computers, monitors, keyboards and other attachments as well as mobile phones, which all have components that can be recycled and reused.
How To Recycle Ewaste Responsibly
Responsible electronic recycling depends to a large degree on where you live and how your local council deals with the issue.
In some areas, the local council has taken a proactive approach by organising periodic collection of electronic waste as well as other hard rubbish. Other councils have designated zones at their tips for the collection of e-waste which is then sent to recycling centres.
If you are lucky enough to live in one of these areas, all you need do is contact your council offices to get the details and then make a concerted effort to follow their directions and have your e-waste available for collection or arrange to deliver it to the tip.
Unfortunately, these councils are in the minority in Australia, so most residents are forced to make their own arrangements to get rid of electronic waste.
Here are some helpful hints:
Mobile Phones
A number of national environmental initiatives have been developed for the correct disposal of mobile phones. Recycling bins are available in many Post Offices and shopping centres as well as mobile phone retailers.
If you are simply upgrading your mobile to a newer model and the old one is in perfect working order, why not selling it either on eBay or to a licensed pawn broker?
Computers and Televisions
In 2010 the Australian government endorsed the Product Stewardship Scheme which aims to shift the responsibility for recycling back to the manufacturer by imposing a fee on all imports to cover recycling costs.
The PSA is due to commence in 2011 but it appears little action has been taken thus far to implement the changes necessary. So at this time the onus is still on the consumer to responsibly dispose of redundant computers and televisions.
Large Whitegoods
Unless you have a proactive local council who takes responsibility for recycling large-scale electronic waste like refrigerators and washing machines, you have very little choice.
If you care about the amount of toxic waste being dumped in our landfill, then the proper course of action is to call in one of the professional e-waste recycling companies like 1800EWaste. These companies will call at your home, remove the waste and deliver it to one of the recycling plants where every component that can be recycled will be.
To save money and build community spirit, you could organise a collective pickup among your friends and neighbours so that all the electronic waste from your neighbourhood is collected in one hit. The result is a cleaner, greener neighbourhood as well as an increased sense of community spirit.
Now that’s a real New Year’s revolution!
