New technology will recycle CRT’s from our old TVs

New technology will recycle CRT’s from our old TVs

Abilities Incorporated today announced that it will install New Zealand’s first proven UN accredited technology to separate Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) from TV’s that will become obsolete with the change from analogue to digital in 2013.

The Glenfield based organisation, which provides employment for people with disabilities at its processing and recycling plant, has received funding from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund to install Hot Band Technology supplied by Sweden’s MRT Systems. The equipment will be installed and commissioned in early 2012.

Peter Fraher, Managing Director of Abilities welcomed the Hon Dr Nick Smith, Minister for the Environment and guests from industry, local and central government and explained the importance of this investment for the Auckland region:-

“The MRT Hot Band Glass Separator is proven technology recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme and we are delighted to bring this to New Zealand. The equipment will effectively harvest CRT’s into their component parts providing an economic and environmental solution for obsolete TVs. There will be around 500,000 TVs rendered useless by the end of 2013 and this technology allows us to provide a local solution to recycling the glass from the screens and to safely deal with the lead content of CRTs which will be sent to a special processing plant in Europe.”

“The project is budgeted to initially process 30,000 TVs per annum which if sent off shore for processing would require 30 forty foot containers to ship them. Instead we will divert 750 tonnes of glass from landfill, recycle 70% of it locally and safely process lead from the CRTs. This reduces the shipping requirement by 80% to 6 containers.”

“I would like to thank the Government for its confidence in disability enterprises and its recognition of the enormous contribution which they make to our economy and to improving the environment.”

About Abilities Incorporated

Abilities was established in 1959 to provide employment for people with disabilities. The organization assembles products and recycles plastic wrap, packaging and other materials for businesses including Fonterra, Full Circle and The Warehouse diverting 2400 tonnes per annum from landfill. It employs 145 staff of which 120 have disabilities. Abilities has recently invested in new facilities to accommodate growth.

ENDS

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