New technology can recycle up to 80,000 CRT’s

PRESS RELEASE

27TH September 2012

New technology can recycle up to 80,000 CRT’s from our old TVs

The Abilities Group today opened New Zealand’s first proven UN accredited technology to separate Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) from TV’s that will be replaced when the changeover to digital from analogue starts.

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

Peter Fraher, Managing Director of Abilities welcomed the Hon Amy Adams, 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 bringing this to New Zealand means we now have the equipment to harvest CRT’s into their component parts. With the digital changeover, market research suggests that around 30% people will be replacing their old TVs and this technology allows us to recycle the glass from the screens locally and to safely deal with the lead content of CRTs which will be sent to a special processing plant in Europe.”

“The plant can process between 40,000 and 80,000 TVs per annum which if sent off shore for processing would require 40 to 80 forty foot containers to ship them. Instead we will divert 700 tonnes of glass from landfill, recycle 70% of it locally and safely process lead from the CRTs.”

“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.”

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 150 staff of which 120 have disabilities. Abilities has recently invested in new facilities to accommodate growth.

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