Collectors of eWaste under the scheme hit or exceeded their quotas at the end of 2014 and are unable to make further collections until the next financial year, in July 2015.

Amanda Chapman of Matthews Metals Management, the collection company for Walcha’s eWaste, participated in round table discussions last December with representatives from the federal government.

“It is not just regional NSW councils affected, the fact that quotas have been reached all over the country is causing nationwide outrage,” Ms Chapman said.

“The Minister is being pushed to urgently review the scheme especially in relation to quotas.”

As a result of the issues with the scheme the company is only able to offer Walcha collection services for those electronic products for which there are still processors operating. 

Council will place signage and pallets at the Aerodrome Road Waste Transfer Facility to collect computers and computer peripherals only.

For all other eWaste (such as televisions, printers and small appliances) Walcha Council urges residents to place these in a separate bin and regrettably they will be placed landfilled until the federal government is able to provide a solution for eWaste under the Product Stewardship arrangements.

The Federal Department of the Environment released a review paper on the operation of the scheme early this year in response to concerns about the state of e-waste management in Australia.

The review paper is available at www.environment.gov.au-/protection/national-waste-policy/television-and-computer-recycling-scheme. 

Submissions to the Department of the Environment on the review paper have been made by RENEW and Northern Inland Regional Waste on Walcha Council’s behalf. 

Council has also sent a letter to the Minister of the Environment expressing disappointment with the scheme’s failure and outlining the impact to our community.