11 October 2010
Cambridge and Te Awamutu will join more than 40 towns and cities across New Zealand to participate in New Zealand's free computer recycling event, eDay, on Saturday, November 6 from 9am - 3pm.
The Minister for the Environment, the Hon Nick Smith, recently announced the nationwide event, which is funded by the Waste Minimisation Fund, and national partners and supporters including KiwiRail, More FM and Trade Me.
Led locally by Waipa District Council with support from local waste expert companies EnviroWaste and Red Bins, the project team is aiming to divert as much as 12 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) from landfills, doubling last year's amount of six tonnes.
Council's team leader corporate and community planning Shelley Monrad said electronic waste is now one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. She said eDay was being made possible in Waipa because of fantastic local support.
"EnviroWaste and Red Bins have generously come on board and allowed us to use their depots and staff to collect, sort and pack the e-waste. This event would be much more difficult to run without them, and we're very grateful for their support," Mrs Monrad said.
Material that can be disposed of at eDay includes all computer-related equipment, game consoles, fax machines and digital cameras. Mobile phones can also be dropped off and will be donated to Starship's Mobile Phone Recycling Appeal.
"TV sets and home hi-fi equipment cannot be accepted this year because the channels for recycling these items are not sufficiently well developed."
Mrs Monrad said the eDay team is expecting a big turnout in Waipa. On-site volunteers will be asking people to participate in a quick survey about e-waste when they drop off their equipment.
eDay: Saturday, November 6, 9am - 3pm, EnviroWaste, 27 Matos Segedin Drive, Cambridge, and Red Bins, 547 Paterangi Road, Te Awamutu. For more information visit Council's website www.waipadc.govt.nz
For more information, please contact:
Jacqui Humm
Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760
Email: jacqui.humm@waipadc.govt.nz