Dispose of your e-waste for free

On Saturday 12 September, Taupo District Council and Envirowaste will be holding a free ‘e-waste’ disposal day at the Broadlands Road Transfer Station.

 

E-waste day gives local people the opportunity to dispose of old computer equipment (desktop computers, laptops, printers and scanners), mobile phones and chargers for free. All e-waste dropped off will be loaded into a container and sent to Auckland where it will be dismantled and the materials recycled or disposed of appropriately.

 

The e-waste disposal idea started in Wellington in 2006 and spread throughout New Zealand. Once a year, special one-off disposal locations are made available in cities throughout the country. Taupo District Council’s Infrastructure Services Group Manager, Ted Anderson, says Council is pleased to be a part of the initiative.

 

E-waste is the fastest growing type of waste in the world and is more toxic than normal household rubbish due to the hazardous materials found inside. Computers can contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury, as well as flame retarded plastics and CFC foams. Such hazardous substances require special handling and recycling methods.

 

“If the e-waste disposal day proves popular in Taupo, we may look at repeating it,” said Mr Anderson. “People need a place to dispose of this sort of environmentally damaging material so that it doesn’t end up thrown into the landfill.”

 

Broadlands Road Transfer Station will also be accepting used batteries as part of their regular battery disposal programme.

 

The e-waste disposal day comes at the conclusion of the Keep New Zealand Beautiful ‘Clean Up Week 2009’, a programme which encourages Kiwis everywhere to get out and clean up litter in their neighbourhoods. Visit www.taupo.govt.nz for information on either of these events.