19 November 2008
Recyling and e-waste
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About 8 million new mobile phones are sold in Australia each year and at last estimate, there were more mobiles in this country than people. But what happens to old phones when it comes time to buy new ones? Only about three per cent are recycled; most end up as landfill. The story is not much better for other e-waste— computers, electronic goods, televisions. Environment groups want the federal government to introduce a scheme of 'extended producer responsibility', where the manufacturer takes charge of the disposal of the goods, not just their production. So what could that add to the cost of a new TV or computer? Should schemes like that be voluntary rather than regulated by government? And what's the consumer's role in recycling?
Guests
John Gertsakis
Chief executive, Product Stewardship Australia
Vaughan Levitzke
Chief Executive, Zero Waste South Australia
Jane Castle
Resource conservation campaigner, Total Environment Centre
Further Information
Environment Protection and Heritage Council
Presenter
Paul Barclay
Story Researcher and Producer
Debra McCoy
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