Television recycling scheme announced
Hon Amy Adams
Minister for the Environment
30 September 2012
Media Statement
Television recycling scheme
announced
Environment Minister Amy Adams
has today announced a national scheme to encourage the
recycling of unwanted televisions and raise investment in
New Zealand’s electronic recycling capacity.
The TV TakeBack programme aims to divert up to 500,000 televisions from going to landfill in an initiative that involves the Government partnering with a range of recyclers and retailers to provide a nationwide network of subsidised options.
The programme will also help educate people about the benefits of recycling and lay the foundation for a more permanent solution for electronic waste.
“As we go digital I am asking New Zealanders to play their part in caring for the environment by making sure their unwanted televisions are recycled,” Ms Adams says.
With Hawke's Bay and the West Coast today becoming the first regions to go digital, they will be the first involved in the programme’s implementation. The programme will then be rolled out around the rest of New Zealand to coincide with the digital switch over in each region.
From tomorrow until March, the cost to recycle unwanted televisions in Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast will be subsidised, however there will be a free period in those regions between October 13-28 where no drop off fees will apply.
Residents in each region will be advised of the various recycling options via a local promotional campaign in newspapers, radio and online.
The TV TakeBack programme will significantly expand television recycling services across New Zealand, Ms Adams says.
“Increasing recycling infrastructure will ensure recyclers have the capacity and capability to deal with increased volumes of televisions.
“A greater understanding of the need to recycle unwanted televisions and how to go about it is essential. Televisions pose a threat to the environment if they are disposed of in landfills or dumped elsewhere, so the Government wants to make sure New Zealanders can access affordable electronic recycling services.
“The recycled material has a variety of uses. For example, glass from a television screen can be transformed into bunker sand for golf courses.”
A part of the programme the Government is also investigating options for long term improvements in the management of all electronic waste, not just televisions.
The programme is being funded via the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund. Money for the Waste Minimisation Fund comes from a waste levy charged on material disposed of at landfills.
For
more information about the programme, including where to
find recycling drop-off points, go to: www.tvtakeback.govt.nz.
What
is TV TakeBack?
TV TakeBack is a programme supported by the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund. It is designed to encourage the recycling of televisions and raise investment in New Zealand’s recycling capacity.
It
is expected that disposal of old unwanted televisions during
and after the Going Digital programme will increase
opportunities for recycling so locations are being arranged
where people can drop off their unwanted televisions at low
cost.
Is this a national
programme?
Yes, but it will be phased. The first phase of TV TakeBack starts on October 1 in Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast. These regions have been chosen to lead the programme as they are the first where the old analogue television signal has been turned off as part of the Going Digital programme.
The public roll out of the initiative
around the rest of New Zealand will coincide with the
digital switch over in each region.
Where
can I take my television to be recycled?
The Environment Ministry has been working with recyclers, Councils and retailers to provide convenient drop off locations. Go to www.tvtakeback.govt.nz for information on recycling locations in Hawke’s Bay and West Coast.
As each region gets closer to going digital, the website will have more details about collection sites in each region.
In the meantime, people can contact their
local Council or electronic waste recycler to find out what
recycling services are available in their
region.
Why is it important to recycle
unwanted televisions?
Televisions contain materials that can be
harmful if released into soil or waterways, such as lead,
mercury and phosphorus. Safe recycling takes away risk of
contamination and reduces waste going to
landfill.
What happens when I drop off my
television to be recycled?
Televisions dropped
off for recycling are taken to national recycling facilities
where they are taken apart. Components are recycled locally
or sent to specialist facilities
overseas.
Where do the components from my
old TV end up?
· Glass is
recycled in New Zealand and used in roading
aggregate.
· Glass funnel is also
recycled overseas into new products containing
glass.
· Metals such as steel are melted
down and made into new products such as construction
material
· Copper wire is removed and
recycled in New Zealand.
· Circuit
boards are recycled overseas.
·
Aluminium is removed and recycled in New Zealand.
The
recycled material has a variety of uses. For example, glass
from the screen can be transformed into bunker sand for golf
courses. Copper around the electron gun can be recycled into
new cabling. Degaussing wire that sits around the front of
the screen is high grade iron that can be recycled into
metal goods, such as nails, nuts and
bolts.
How much will it cost me to drop off
my television for recycling?
The cost will vary in each region and is dependent on a number of factors, including the cost to transport, dismantle and store a television.
However to kick off TV TakeBack, a special
promotion in Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast has been
arranged. From 13-28 October, dropping off a television for
recycling at a TV TakeBack location will be free in those
regions.
Why do I get charged for taking a
television to be recycled?
Although many
components from an unwanted television can be recycled, the
value of the material that can be recovered is currently
less than the cost of transport and
recycling.
Is TV TakeBack just about
unwanted
televisions?
This programme provides money to reduce public charges for recycling, to improve recycling infrastructure and raise public awareness.
Increasing recycling infrastructure will ensure recyclers have capacity and capability to deal with increased volumes of televisions. The Government is also investigating options for long term improvements in the management of all electronic waste, not just televisions. This will reduce landfill waste and help the environment.
ENDS