QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT MAKES LIGHT WORK OF E-WASTE

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has handed over the last of its fleet of 2300 computers for recycling, Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said today.

Ms Nelson-Carr said at the official hand-over to SIMS e-recycling at the EPA Building, in Brisbane, the EPA had rescued more than 70 tonnes of computers from a techno burial.

“By working with companies such as Hewlett Packard, NetOptions and SIMS e-recycling, the EPA has ensured the computers are environmentally sound from ‘cradle to grave’.

“Obsolete five-year-old computers are being replaced with ‘green’ machines that meet world’s best practice environmental standards.

“This is just a small part of the Queensland Government’s strategy to minimise the environmental impacts of office technology.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said with about 1.6 million computers nationally going to landfill each year, the Government was providing an example to industry and the broader community.

“The EPA demanded suppliers meet strict environmental criteria for energy efficiency, manufacturing, and recycling of computers and computer packaging.

“They then worked with Queensland Purchasing to build these criteria into a whole of government standing offer arrangement for computer supply.

“The arrangement conforms to international environmental standards (ISO14001) and includes the offer of a ‘take-back’ scheme for computers.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said the EPA’s HP machines were energy efficient, using 60 per cent less power than its previous fleet, with minimal toxics.

She said many economic benefits flowed on from Queensland demanding and achieving environmental best practice in this area.

“Green procurement strategies offer commercial advantages for manufacturers and suppliers who meet the environmental standards, and they also create opportunities for employment and business growth.”

Photographs of the event are available