Local government involvement in the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS)
Local government is often the first point of contact for householders and small businesses who want to recycle televisions and computers.
The NTCRS is intended to supplement and build on state, territory and local government e-waste management, not to replace these activities. E-waste management activities outside the NTCRS are still needed to meet public demand, and local councils will continue to be responsible for waste management in their area.
Local councils can choose to work with the NTCRS by negotiating a contract with a co-regulatory arrangement. Co-regulatory arrangements provide industry funded collection and recycling services for products that fall under the scheme (specifically televisions, printers, computers, and computer peripherals). It is important that local councils are aware that scheme services can run without council involvement and still deliver benefits to local communities (e.g. collections through retail outlets).
Local councils working with the NTCRS should also be aware that co-regulatory arrangements will be responsible for the portion of e-waste as negotiated with the local council under their contractual arrangements, and the local council should carefully consider their operational requirements when negotiating contracts.
The aim of the NTCRS is to reduce the impact of television and computer e-waste products on the environment and to reduce the impact that substances contained in these products have on people’s health and safety.
Therefore, as the rate of e-waste recycling increases nationally, it is essential that all stakeholders commit to best-practice health and safety and environmental processes and are fully compliant with the relevant regulations in their jurisdiction.
Further information
Contact details for the approved co-regulatory arrangements are available at Co-regulatory Arrangements – NTCRS.
For more information on the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) email ewaste@nationalepa.gov.au.