Cleaning up Wellington’s e-waste

Wellingtonians will have a chance to get rid of their old PCs, mobile phones and digital cameras free of charge at eDay on Saturday 12 September at Westpac Stadium.

The nationwide computer recycling event aims to educate New Zealanders about the benefits of recycling while providing convenient drop-off points for people to dispose of unwanted ‘e-waste’.

National eDay organiser and Chairperson of Computer Access New Zealand (CANZ), Laurence Zwimpfer, says e-waste is the fastest growing and one of the most challenging waste problems in the world and New Zealand is no exception.

“Over 87,000 computer related items were diverted from local landfills at last year’s eDay. Computers contain many valuable resources which can be recovered and put to good use.”

eDay is open to cars only and people wanting to drop-off e-waste at the Wellington event can go to Westpac Stadium, on Saturday 12 September from 9am to 3pm. Businesses and schools or organisations with large quantities of e-waste are advised to visit www.eday.org.nz for alternate disposal options and more information about recycling.

Only computer equipment, mobile phones and digital cameras can be recycled in the eDay collection. Other electronic equipment including televisions and stereos will not be accepted.

Local eDay co-ordinator Mike Ennis says the event received fantastic support from Wellingtonians last year and he expects another great response this year.

“We’re delighted to be involved again this year and give our community the chance to dispose of old computer equipment in an environmentally friendly way.”

eDay has the full support of Wellington City Council, and will be attended by Mayor Kerry Prendergast as well as several Councillors and Council staff.

CANZ advises people to wipe all data from computer hard drives as well as removable media such as floppy disks and PC cards before handing them over for recycling.

The event is expected to divert over 1000 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) from landfills nationally and 122 tonnes in Wellington.

All equipment collected as part of eDay will be recycled by accredited international recyclers. Items in good condition can be donated to genuine charities through www.donatenz.com or sold on www.trademe.co.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media