The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) is a co-regulatory scheme. It operates under the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020. The Australian Government works with approved co-regulatory arrangements to:
- reduce waste to landfill, especially the hazardous materials in electronic waste (e-waste)
- recover more reusable materials in a safe, scientific, and environmentally-sound manner
- provide convenient access to recycling services for households and small businesses throughout Australia.
The following parties play a role in the operation of the NTCRS.
Local government
Local government can work with co-regulatory arrangements to deliver NTCRS services.
Read more about the role of local government.
Households and small businesses
Households and small businesses have access to free NTCRS e-waste collection services. E-waste disposal outside of NTCRS services may incur a fee.
Read more about NTCRS for households and small businesses.
NTCRS Collection Services
NTCRS collection points provide free e-waste disposal for households and small businesses. These collection points may be:
- permanent or temporary
- run by councils or retailers
- provided by NTCRS co-regulatory arrangements.
Find collection points for recycling e-waste.
State and territory governments
State and territory governments provide state/territory legislation on e-waste management.
Environmental protection authorities and other agencies license recyclers. This ensures environmental and work health and safety compliance. State and territory governments oversee the management of e-waste outside the NTCRS.
E-waste recyclers
E-waste recyclers contract with co-regulatory arrangements to provide recycling services.
Recyclers may work with other businesses and local governments outside the NTCRS.
Read more information for e-waste recyclers.
Co-regulatory arrangements
Co-regulatory arrangements achieve NTCRS outcomes on behalf of their liable party members. They publicise and organise NTCRS collection and recycling activities. They are responsible for reporting on NTCRS outcomes to us.
Read more about co-regulatory arrangements.
Liable parties
Liable parties are constitutional corporations operating in Australia who have imported and/or manufactured more than:
- 5,000 televisions, or
- 5,000 printers or computers, or
- 15,000 computer parts or peripherals.
in a financial year.
Liable parties must:
- ensure their import information is correct
- follow the Customs Act 1901
- join a co-regulatory arrangement to manage their liability under the NTCRS.
Read more about liable parties.
Our agency
We ensure:
- liable parties are aware of their obligations toward e-waste recycling
- co-regulatory arrangements meet NTCRS outcomes.
We do this under the:
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020
- Recycling and Waste Reduction (Product stewardship—televisions and computers) Rules 2021.
Home Affairs (Australian Border Force)
Australian Border Force regulates imports and exports. We then use this import data to identify potential liable parties.
Customs brokers
Custom brokers assist liable parties with their imports. They lodge import information with Australian Border Force.
Contact
Email ewaste@nationalepa.gov.au.