A pile of e-waste Photo: Courtesy Planet Ark
Electronic waste is now banned from kerbside collections in the Warringah, Manly, Mosman and Pittwater Council areas.
The Shore Regional Organisation of Councils (or SHOROC) introduced a ban on the kerbside collection of e-waste from 1 January 2010 due to concerns about its effect on the environment when placed in landfill.
E-waste contains a range of toxic materials including lead, cadmium and mercury as well as valuable non-renewable resources such as nickel, copper and zinc that can be recovered during the recycling process.
The four councils are planning e-waste drop-offs to replace the kerbside collection. A range of products will be accepted, including any brand of computer, laptop, monitor, TV, DVD/CD player, printer, mobile phone and computer related peripherals.
Warringah Mayor Michael Regan said the e-waste drop-offs will provide a "great opportunity to reduce household electronic clutter legally and in an environmentally friendly way".
Products not accepted for recycling include: whitegoods, cracked or broken monitors and TV screens, smoke alarms, uninterruptible power supply units, overhead projectors, contaminated equipment or other hazardous waste.
The Federal Government is planning a nationwide scheme, whereby householders can drop off e-waste at centralised collection points around Australia from 2011.
SHOROC has suggestions for recycling and reusing e-waste. Visit the Warringah Council website for more information.