MINISTERIAL COUNCIL DEEMS DUMPING COMPUTERS NOT PC

The Queensland Government will join a national push for a regulatory measure to enforce the recycling of computers and other electronic equipment.

Speaking from the Environment, Protection and Heritage Council meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, Queensland Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said dumping electronic equipment had become a serious environmental problem.

“In Australia, about 1.6 million old computers are disposed of each year, ending up in landfill.

“The technology is changing so rapidly and people are turning over their old computers quicker than ever before.

“But the bits that make up computers – silicon chips, disk drives, circuit boards and monitors – are made up of large amounts of toxic chemicals and metals.

“A single monitor can contain up to 3.5kg of poisonous lead and more than likely this will end up at a rubbish dump, damaging soils and waterways.

“We need to look into regulatory measures that would ensure a cost effective and sustainable solution to the problem of outdated computers.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said managing waste was a high priority for all states and territories.

“All states and territories agree that waste is one of the most detrimental environmental impacts and we need to push recycling and waste management as a priority in the next 12 months.”

Old computers contain parts, such as circuit boards, RAM and central processing unit, that can be reused, as well as metal, plastic and other materials that can be recycled.

Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti 3336 8002