1. What Is The National Television And Computer Recycling Scheme?
The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) was established in 2011 and provides Australian households with access to collection and recycling services for old televisions, computers and other related equipment.
2. What Are The Goals Of The Recycling Scheme?
The NTCRS sets annually increasing targets for the proportion of TV and computer waste that is collected for recycling. Strong demand from the public has lead the scheme to increase these targets. In the 2015/2016 financial year, the scheme aims to recover 50% of TVs and computers. This will rise to 80% in 2026/2027.
What’s more, the scheme requires that 90% of the weight of the collected materials are re-used or manufactured into new products.
3. The Scheme Is Making A Huge Impact
So far 130,000 tonnes of waste has been collected and recycled under the scheme.
But we shouldn’t really be calling it “waste”. It’s actually a valuable source of plastic, glass, aluminium, steel, copper, silver, gold, lead, mercury and many other materials. Some of those components are also hazardous. Dumped in landfill they pose a risk to the environment and to humans. It’s much better that they be recycled into new products where they don’t do any harm.
The scheme has also increased the number of jobs in the recycling sector, and reduced the strain on landfill.
4. The NTCRS Makes It Easy To Recycle E-Waste
With over 1,800 collection points around Australia it’s easy to find a drop-off point near you.
Many of the major whitegoods and office supply retail chains will accept TVs and computers under the scheme. Search for a collection point near you.
5. Who Pays For The Recycling Scheme?
Manufacturers and importers of TVs and computers pay for the scheme.
How much each pays is related to their specific product and market share. As you can see from the following diagram, it’s quite a complex scheme for industry, but it’s super simple for consumers.
Click the image to view the full version.
6. What Can Larger Businesses Do With Their E-Waste?
Talk to us, we can help you.
As the NTCRS was developed for households and small business most collection points can only accept a few items per person. Larger businesses generating bigger quantities of e-waste are expected to make their own arrangements for safe disposal.
That’s our specialty. We offer simple electronics recycling solutions to organisations of all sizes and we don’t just stop at TVs and computers. We also recycle batteries, lighting waste, mobile phones and more.
To find out how we can help, give us a call on 1300 32 62 92 or fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.