E-Waste New Zealand's next soft plastic epidemic!

In the era of instant gratification, globalisation and disposable goods, the outcome is always the same. We have more things and we create more waste. Increasingly, electronic products are being treated as disposal items too. The latest update isn’t always enough. Sometimes we need a whole new tech item and that is wreaking havoc on our eco system.

“Every New Zealander creates an average of 19 kilograms of e-waste a year. That is a whopping 89 million kg per annum. According to the Ministry for the Environment, that number is expected to rise to 26.9kg per person by 2030”[1].

“Worldwide - steady growth trend in e-waste, is projected to continue at a rate of two million metric tons per year. This would mean almost 50 million metric tons by 2018”[2].

“As much as 98% of New Zealand’s household electrical and electronic waste or “e-waste" – may end up in landfills”[3] - these materials contain toxic materials that cause irreparable harm to our earth. We don’t think about where these products end up in our quest for the latest tech item.

New Zealand Company Computer Recycling promote e-waste awareness to communities, schools and large cooperate businesses. We need to take responsibility, and as a country, who promotes “100% New Zealand green” this should be a priority that needs to be enforced. Our ocean, lakes, rivers and land are sacred.[4]

"It is timely to encourage businesses to look more closely at taking responsibility for their e-waste, particularly where the volume and harm from some wastes – such as lithium ion batteries – have increased"[5].

For over 10 years, Computer Recycling has worked with businesses and individuals to alleviate the impact of the growing issue of electronic waste.

The amount of steel we recycle is the weight of 370 cars.

“Computer Recycling deals with 810+ Tons - Diverted from Local Landfills Every Year, 41 Tons - Cable Recycled Annually, and 364 Tons - Steel Recycled Yearly. Computer Recycling ships only through Basel Permits to our partners in Europe and Asia were the product are processed back into the raw commodities world leading e-waste disposal and recovery facilities”[6].

Computer Recycling is a modern solution to the current e-waste problem.

[1] https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/349753/the-fight-against-e-waste-continues

[2] https://tcocertified.com/news/global-e-waste-reaches-record-high-says-new-un-report/

[3] http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1902/S00415/98-of-household-electronic-waste-may-end-up-in-landfills.htm

[4] https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystoller/2018/11/19/heading-to-new-zealand-you-must-make-a-pledge-before- entry/#7f0d645e3d32

[5] https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/100676217/ewaste-a-priority-issue-promises-associate- environmentminister-eugenie-sage

[6] https://www.computerrecycling.co.nz/

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