JAPAN EXPLORES RECYCLING AUSTRALIA’S ELECTRONIC WASTE

Opportunities to ease Queensland’s electronic waste storage problem could come from Japan, according to Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr.

Ms Nelson-Carr said a Japanese company specialising in e-waste management and recycling had approached the Environmental Protection Agency to express interest in exploring opportunities to recycle Queensland’s e-waste.

“Following a recycling presentation by the EPA at an international workshop at TohokuUniversity in Sendai, company executives said they were keen to look at purchasing Queensland’s e-waste to recycle in Japan.

“Taking up this option for recycling Australia’s computer parts – silicon chips, circuit boards, disk drives and monitors – could be of enormous benefit to both Australia and Japan,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“Japanese industry is thirsty for raw materials such as steel, zinc and aluminium, and Australia has an estimated 5 million obsolete and unwanted computers in storage, and about 1.75 million computers in landfill.

“The technology is changing so rapidly that people are turning over their old computers more quickly than ever before – adding to the e-waste burden,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“That’s why the Environment Protection and Heritage Council of federal and state environment ministers is pushing for new measures to enforce the recycling of electronic equipment. However, Australia’s current e-waste management initiatives are unable to support the huge demand.

“If Australia can trade our electronic waste offshore we will reduce the potential amount of toxic chemicals and metals ending up in rubbish dumps, damaging our soils and waterways,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“Also, having our e-waste reused will avoid new production and the environmental impacts associated with this – such as from manufacturing and transport.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said the offshore option was just one part of a comprehensive e-waste management and recycling strategy that included providing opportunities for Australian-based e-recycling facilities.

“Australian-based recyclers of electronic waste, such as SIMS e-recycling, play a significant role and will continue to do so.

“In fact, SIMS has taken away the EPA’s entire former fleet of 2600 computer systems - breaking down and recycling all components including monitors, keyboards, hard drives, circuit boards, and mouses,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

EPA staff will soon meet with federal government counterparts to discuss the possible engagement of the Japanese company, and the relevant export restrictions that apply to trading electronic materials - hazardous substances.