TV recycling project a big success

EcoSolutions waste minimisation educator Anna Murphy with one of the 3174 old television sets that have been dropped off in Whangarei in three months. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Northlanders have taken advantage of a government subsidy to dump their old televisions with more than 6200 unwanted televisions dropped off for recycling in the region since October.

The Ministry for the Environment said since it introduced the TV TakeBack programme on October 23, 6214 televisions had been dropped off for recycling in Northland.

It said Far North residents had disposed of 2885 televisions, with residents dropping off 155 televisions in Kaipara and 3174 in Whangarei.

The cost to recycle unwanted televisions in Northland has been subsidised by the Government so, for a limited time, residents can take advantage of a subsidised fee of up to $5 for the drop off unwanted televisions.

People in the Far North District have used 62 per cent of their quota, Kaipara has used 18 per cent of its quota and Whangarei residents have used 63 per cent of their quota.

TV TakeBack is an initiative that involves the Government partnering with recyclers and retailers to provide a network of subsidised options for diverting televisions from landfill.

"Safe recycling reduces the risk of contamination, minimises waste going to landfills and means tonnes of waste can be recycled and re-used in other products," ministry operations director Mike Mendonca said.

"However, the government subsidy to recycle unwanted TVs will end soon.

"Once a region's TV collection quota is met, people will be required to pay more to dispose of their sets responsibly, and fewer collection points will be available once the programme ends.

"Some people may want to get rid of an unwanted TV from their bach, caravan or crib now TV is digital."

For more information on dumping unwanted televisions visit www.tvtakeback.govt.nz.