AUSTRALIAN INFORMATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ( AIIA )

As more and more outdated electronic equipment - like computers , photocopiers , printers , faxes , monitors , batteries and mobile phones - ends up in landfill , the negative impacts of e-waste on the environment and society will increase .

These electronics can contain small amounts of hazardous pollutants such as lead , arsenic and mercury . Through recycling , we can help prevent these pollutants from ending up in landfill and recover some of the valuable materials in various components .

However , this process can be expensive and has led to unscrupulous operators in many countries , including Australia , to illegally ship e-waste to less developed economies where dangerous and environmentally harmful recycling methods persist . When the ABC reported that computer monitors from an Australian bank , destined for recycling in Australia , were found on a toxic e-waste dump in west Africa , it highlighted failures in current e-waste disposal supply chains .

So how do we go about solving the mounting global problem of e-waste ?

Local solutions The solution to the global e-waste problem starts at home – think globally and act locally . The AIIA ’ s Environment Special Interest Group ( ESIG ) has already made a significant impact on Australia ’ s environmental landscape by being strong advocates for better regulation on the dangerous impacts of e-waste for which our industry is responsible .

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme ( NTCRS ) provides a good example of the kind of collaboration with governments , green groups , industry and recyclers necessary to drive responsible programs . It was established in 2011 to provide Australian households and small business with access to industry-funded

90 June 2017