14 February 2018
Thanks to Te Awamutu Community Board and Waipa District Council you can say goodbye to your unwanted computers, microwaves, fridges and other electronics at a one-off community collection day held in Te Awamutu on Saturday 3 March.
Any electronics with a plug or a battery can be dropped off at the event for a small fee of $5 or $10 depending on the item. Smaller pieces of equipment like a computer mouse, electric jug or mobile phone are free.
The family-friendly event will include music and free kids recycling activities, plus if you bring an e-waste item along Serenda Espresso will give you a free coffee!
Council's waste minimisation officer Sally Fraser said all e-waste is stripped down to recover and recycle the individual parts.
It can be hard to know what to do with some of the bigger electronic items that are no longer useful. But the reality is there is a lot that can be done with the different parts. Leaded glass from television and computer screens can be processed and made into bathroom tiles and metal can be melted down for reuse.
Anything we can do to prevent these electronics from going to the landfill is a great result.
Te Awamutu Community Board are subsidising the cost of each item to make it more affordable for Waipa residents; a decision chairperson Gary Derbyshire said was a no-brainer.
We appreciate that it's a bit tricky to know what to do with your e-waste, particularly large items like a fridge. By subsidising the cost we are making it easier and hopefully encouraging more people to recycle their e-waste, he said.
Once collected the e-waste is sent to community organisation South Waikato Achievement Trust (SWAT) where it is processed. SWAT provides accommodation, support and employment for disadvantaged people and those with disabilities in the South Waikato district.
This is a one-off event in Te Awamutu, but Fraser said Council would be interested to run something similar again if there is a demand for it.
For more information about what electronics can we recovered and the cost, visit waipadc.govt.nz/e-waste
- What: E-waste community collection day
- When: 10am-1pm, Saturday 3 March
- Where: 214 Churchill Street, Te Awamutu
- Cost: $5-$10 per item of e-waste, smaller items are free.