New Zealand, Wednesday 29th July 2020: Today, TechCollect NZ has received $320,000 from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) to expand its pilot program, and develop, refine and recommend regulated product stewardship scheme design options for e-waste under New Zealand’s Waste Minimisation Act (WMA).
Operating as a not-for-profit, TechCollect NZ has collected and recycled more than 53 tonnes of ewaste, reducing the amount of unwanted and end-of-life electrical products entering New Zealand’s waste stream.
The funding will allow TechCollect NZ to expand its pilot program to provide at least 40 free drop-off sites across the country, as it strives to recover 200,000 kg of electronic equipment each year and recycle up to 95% of materials collected.
Additionally, TechCollect NZ will carry out extensive research and co-develop a robust regulated national e-waste product stewardship scheme to co-ordinate a managed approach for all e-waste in partnership with local industry and businesses.
Michael Dudley, Senior Policy Manager, TechCollect NZ, said, “We are delighted to be working with the Ministry for the Environment to tackle rising volumes of e-waste and help New Zealand transition towards a more circular economy.
“As the demand for new technology increases so does our e-waste footprint, with nearly 100,000 tonnes of e-waste generated in New Zealand each year.
“This new funding will allow us to expand our service and support residents and small businesses across the country to recycle their end-of-life electronics responsibly. We’ll also work with the New Zealand Government, community, Māori and business sector to design and recommend an environmentally sound and fit-for-purpose e-waste product stewardship approach in Aotearoa.
“We are fortunate to have the backing of some of the world’s leading technology brands such as Apple, Canon, Dell, HP, Microsoft and Toshiba supporting our initiative and spearheading e-waste product stewardship in New Zealand.
“By offering New Zealanders a free e-waste recycling solution that is convenient, safe and secure, the expanded service will help us to understand what system of shared responsibility will work best in New Zealand, while reducing the harmful impacts that e-waste poses to our environment. We invite technology users from across the country to do the right thing and recycle responsibly by using TechCollect NZ,” adds Michael.
Oliver Hill, Country Manager, HP New Zealand, says “At the very core of HP’s business is the need to create a lasting sustainable impact on the environment and society that our people, partners, and customers operate and live in. The launch of TechCollect NZ creates an important platform for the technology industry to come together and work as one. No longer do consumers see their goods as disposable and it’s up to us to enable and support a circular economy for electronic goods.”
Consumers and small businesses can currently recycle e-waste through TechCollect NZ, including items such as laptops, cameras, mobile phones, tablets and accessories using OfficeMax stores.
Electrical goods currently received by TechCollect NZ are, dismantled and processed by The Recycling Group (formerly Croxley Recycling). Data is destroyed, and components are sorted into process streams where valuable materials can be manufactured to build new products, helping to create a sustainable environment and circular economy.
