Council contributes to recycling world record

7 July, 2013Posted in: Environment, Other
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Wingecarribee Shire Council has been recognised for contributing to a new Guinness World Record for recycling. The record was officially given to TechCollect – a nationwide recycling service who organised the collection – who have thanked their collection partners, of which Council’s Resource Recovery Centre is one, for their support.

The week-long initiative by TechCollect, held in late April, saw over 474 tonnes in old printers, TVs, computers and printers collected nationwide which subsequently helped secure the world record for ‘the most e-waste ever collected for recycling in one week’. Locally, 859 unused and damaged electrical goods, including more than 450 TV’s, were dropped off during the record setting week.

“This Guinness World Record will help to increase the number of Australians who are aware that they can recycle their e-waste for free”, said TechCollect CEO Carmel Dollisson. “We saw Australians clean out their homes, de-clutter their lives and ensure that all of that old, unwanted and unused e-waste didn’t end up in landfill – which is a great outcome for the environment”.

The Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) has been accepting computers and televisions free of charge since January 2013 as part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. The scheme encourages residents to recycle their old computers, laptops, notebooks, PDA’s, tablets, computer peripherals including adaptors, cables, parts and accessories, printers and all types of unbroken televisions, monitors, projectors and flat panel screens at the RRC free of charge.

“Council is proud that by joining this national scheme and being a TechCollect drop-off point it helped lift the national electronic waste, or e-waste, recycling rate by diverting it from landfill and enabling it to be beneficially re-used,” said Council’s RRC Site Manager Andrew Leslie.

“In addition to saving costs, we’re removing the hazardous materials some of these pieces of equipment contain and subsequently helping to reduce the amount of e-waste which is ending up as landfill.

“We’re hopeful that our participation in this world record has not only have made a significant contribution to reducing e-waste in the Shire, but has also helped increase awareness as to free e-waste recycling at the RRC.”

For further information on recycling your e-waste for free visit the TechCollect website at www.techcollect.com.au and for information on recycling other electrical items not included above, visit PlanetArk’s website www.recyclingnearyou.com.au.

Council’s Resource Recovery Centre is located on Berrima Road, Moss Vale and is open 7.00am to 3.45pm seven days a week.