Canberrans can now more easily dispose of their unwanted televisions and computers.
From today, ACT households and businesses can dump their electronic waste free of charge at the Mugga Lane and Mitchell transfer stations.
They can also drop off computer accessories including printers, keyboards, and hard drives.
The ACT is the first jurisdiction to introduce the free service, as part of a scheme being rolled out nationally.
Only about 17 per cent of TVs and computers are currently recycled across the country, and it is hoped the scheme will increase that figure to 90 per cent by 2022.
Valuable resources such as gold and other precious metals will be recovered from the waste products, and hazardous materials such as lead and mercury will be prevented from entering the environment.
Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability Senator Don Farrell says the scheme provides a long-term solution to electronic waste.
“A tonne of recycled TVs and computers is now worth about $250, which is almost twice the price of iron ore which we’re exporting overseas,” he said.
“Everything you see here, 90 per cent or more will be capable of being recycled.”
The ACT Government hopes the new service will reduce illegal dumping around the city.
“As we’re nearing the digital switch-over and people are buying more TVs and they’re becoming cheaper, we’re seeing more and more that TVs and computers being dropped off say at charity bins or just around the city,” Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said.
“So we’re hoping that with this scheme - and it will be here seven days a week, permanently - we’ll see a reduction in that illegal dumping.”
The Mugga Lane station has already been inundated, with tonnes of unwanted sets dropped off today.
Ms Gallagher is warning there may be lengthy queues initially and is urging people not to rush out.
“We are a bit worried that in the initial week or couple of weeks that there’ll be a lot of people coming out to the tip and that may create queues,” she said.
“As long as people are happy to wait in queues that’s fine, but otherwise take your time, it’s here permanently.”
The scheme does not cover other electronic waste such as mobile phones and microwaves.
