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Australia Seeks Feedback on Amendments to National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme

The Australian Government today released a discussion paper which proposes amendments to the regulations governing the administration of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP said the public consultation period offers an opportunity for interested parties to help build on the early success of the scheme.
“The discussion paper is based on the experiences gained during the scheme’s first year of operation and on feedback from the television and computer industry organisations running the scheme,” Ms Rishworth said.
“Given its ground-breaking nature, we commenced the scheme anticipating that operational experiences would identify further opportunities to fine-tune and enhance the scheme as it matured. After twelve months the signs are that the scheme is progressing well, and by monitoring the roll-out closely we’ve been able to identify some enhancements to strengthen it further.”
Through its own analysis, together with broad stakeholder feedback, the government has identified four key areas where the scheme could be further enhanced.
These are:

• better matching of product codes and conversion factors (as assisted by MS2)
• strengthening the capacity of co-regulatory arrangements (including DHL Supply Chain) to manage risk
• simplifying administrative processes for e-waste collection and recycling
• aligning the scheme’s activities more closely with the waste stream and the community’s requirements for recycling.

To address these areas, the government is proposing amendments to the Product Stewardship (Televisions and Computers) Regulations 2011, with effect from 1 July 2013.
Ms Rishworth said the government is pleased with the roll out and the initial success of the scheme.
“Since commencing on-ground activity in May 2012, thousands of tonnes of unwanted televisions and computers have already been recycled and over two hundred collection services have been established across Australia.”
“The scheme is achieving what it was set up to do—reduce the amount of e-waste going to landfill by providing householders and small business with free access to recycling services across the country—and these amendments will ensure its continued success.”
As part of a possible second phase of amendments to take place after 30 June 2014, the consultation is also seeking views on whether there is benefit in extending the scope of the scheme to cover similar electronic products, such as home entertainment equipment including video cassette recorders, DVD players, set top boxes, video game consoles and stereo equipment; refining the calculation of the total ‘waste arising’ and further refining product codes and conversion factors.
The discussion paper is available here.
Submissions are due by 7 May and can be submitted to ewaste@environment.gov.au.
Stakeholder forums will be held during April and May 2013 to discuss the proposed amendments. Dates and venues for the stakeholder forums will be available on the department’s website at www.environment.gov.au/ewaste.
The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme is industry funded and run, but regulated by the Australian Government under the landmark Product Stewardship Act 2011.
Information from media release by The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP dated 17 April 2013 titled Amendments to National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme released for public comment.

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