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Old computer monitors and hard drives pile up during eDay 2008. eDay, a free nationwide computer recycling event, is expected to divert over 1,000 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) from landfills nationally, and 28 tonnes locally, and will enable the recovery of valuable materials such as gold, copper and aluminium so they can be reused.

Following the success of last year’s event, eDay will be held again in Northland on Saturday 12th September from 9am – 3pm at:

WHĀNGĀREI:
Paper Reclaim Ltd, The Re:Sort Centre (WDC transfer station), Kioreroa Road, Whāngārei

• KAIKOHE:
  Kaikohe Refuse Transfer Station, Station Road, Kaikohe
  
• KAITĀIA:
  Kaitāia Resource Recovery Centre, Church Road, Kaitāia
  
• KERIKERI:
  John Butler Centre carpark, Butler Road, Kerikeri

The drive-through event is part of a national eDay being held in over 40 centres across the country.

National Organiser and Chairperson of Computer Access New Zealand (CANZ), Laurence Zwimpfer, said e-waste is the fastest growing and one of the most challenging waste problems in the world and New Zealand is no exception; over 87,000 computer-related items were diverted from local landfills at last year’s eDay.

“Computers contain many valuable resources which can be recovered and put to good use. Our aim with eDay is to educate New Zealanders about the benefits of recycling computers while providing convenient drop-off points for them to dispose of unwanted computer items in a safe way,” said Mr Zwimpfer.

The annual eDay event is now in its third year and is the only national, community-driven e-waste recycling event for dropping off computer items such as monitors, CPUs and printers, at no cost to the public. 

CANZ advises people to wipe all data from computer hard drives as well as removable media such as floppy disks and PC cards before handing them over for recycling.

Only computer equipment, mobile phones and cameras can be recycled in the eDay collection. Other electronic equipment including televisions and stereos will not be accepted. “We know that TVs and other electronic equipment pose similar threats to our environment, but because of the huge variety in size and weight of this equipment, we don’t think it is fair to ask volunteers to handle TVs,” said Mr Zwimpfer.  “The best advice we can give is for the public to hold onto their old TVs until sustainable solutions are available.”

The event is supported nationally by The Ministry for the Environment, the 2020 Communications Trust and the Ministry of Education which funds the Computer Access NZ Trust. National transport operator KiwiRail and international e-waste recyclers CRTNZ are national partners again in 2009. Corporate sponsors include Meridian Energy, More FM, Dell, Canon, Printlink, The Laptop Company, Invo, Trade Me and NZICT.

The Whāngārei event is also being supported locally by the Northland Regional Council, Whāngārei District Council, CBEC Eco Solutions and Paper Reclaim.  In the Far North, local supporters include Far North District Council, Wasteworks Ltd, Cleanstream Northland, Transfield Services, Rotary and  Lions club members, the S'winch Café and Churchill's Fine Meats.

Items in good condition can be donated to genuine charities through www.donatenz.com or sold on www.trademe.co.nz. Mr Zwimpfer said the very successful charity auction for antique and collectable computers organised in 2008 with the generous support of Trade Me means the auction will be held again this year. “There was a lot of nostalgia last year as many old-time computer users were able to get their hands on equipment that for many was their first computer,” said Mr Zwimpfer.

eDay 2009 is a drive-through community event and is open to cars only. Businesses and schools or organisations with large quantities of e-waste are advised to visit www.eday.org.nz for alternate disposal options and more information about recycling options.

Further information

Visit the Northland eDay website: www.nrc.govt.nz/eday