Residents invited to recycle their computers: Ellerslie, Auckland

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Hi neighbours,

Do you have old computers you want to toss?

You can bring them along to a series of e-waste drop-off days around Auckland.

The goal is to stop e-waste ending up in landfills.

The largest event will be held at the Ellerslie Events Centre on April 17, backed by the Ellerslie Residents Association and Orakei Local Board.

People can drop off their items for free.

Computer Recycling managing director Patrick Moynahan said he was aiming to collect 20,000 kilos of waste from more than 2000 households.

“There is no New Zealand-based framework or legislation as to how Kiwis dispose of their unwanted e-waste, but so far it has been really encouraging to see how much people are looking to do the right thing when it comes to disposing of their old tech.”

Funds raised from the event will be given to Variety- The Children's Charity.

All charity donations made by the public during the day will be matched by Computer Recycling.

More than 40,000 kilos of electronic waste has been collected during five E-days held this year.

The waste is sorted and split into reuse or recycling categories at the company's Onehunga site.

Date will be deleted from reusable items and any markings will be removed.

The computers will then be refurbished and sold to the community.

Items destined for recycling will be graded as general scrap metal or e-scrap.

E-scrap is exported under Environmental Protection Agency permits to Asia and Europe where they will be converted to base elements to be used again.

The average New Zealander produces more than 20 kilograms of e-waste each year, one of the highest per capita amounts globally.

Of the 80,000 tonnes of e-waste created annually, it is estimated less than 2 per cent is recycled.

Are you planning to bring your old PCs to the e-waste day?

What do you do to support recycling at home?

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