Businesses urged to be more responsible with e-waste

29 September 2011

Businesses urged to be more responsible with e-waste

E-waste is becoming an increasing concern in New Zealand with a recent report estimating around 80,000 tonnes of e-waste is irresponsibly dumped into landfills each year.

General Manager of New Zealand owned specialist e-waste recycling and disposal company Recytech, Brad Rope says one of the reasons businesses and consumers don't opt for safe disposal of e-waste products like mobile phones, laptops and computers, is they just don't know where or how to dispose of them correctly.

"E-waste contains some harmful materials that must be safely and expertly managed - it cannot be easily disposed of at landfill. The best way to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of e-waste is to choose a specialist disposal company that is certified under the international Basel Convention," says Mr Rope.

"Basel Certification is an international accreditation that recognises the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility in e-waste disposal. It's easy for businesses do the right thing and dispose of e-waste in the right way just by choosing the right provider."

Recytech is one of just two companies in New Zealand to have gained the accreditation, an achievement Mr Rope, is extremely proud to have under the company's belt.

"Specialising in the disposal of electronics and e-waste comes with a high level of responsibility, to our clients and the environment. I am pleased to be able to say we meet the highest safety and environmental standards available," Mr Rope says.

"We have been investing in best practice disposal processes right from the start of our business so it is a real credit to our team to have achieved independent international recognition for our efforts. Recytech's Basel Certification gives total assurance that e-waste is dealt with in an environmentally responsible manner and complies with the highest international standard."

With recent estimates showing there are around 7.8 million desktop computers in New Zealand, Mr Rope encourages Kiwi businesses to seek out information on e-waste disposal companies and their methods, and to make sure they are Basel Certified before the disposal process starts.

"When it comes to e-waste there are many providers out there. Businesses need to ensure the company they select to dispose of e-waste is doing so in a responsible and transparent manner. The best way to get assurance that e-waste is being correctly disposed of is by partnering with a Basel Certified disposal company."

About Recytech

Recytech specialises in the responsible and cost effective disposal of a huge range of electronics and IT assets (e-waste) that have come to the end of their useful life.

Recytech helps mid-to-large organisations to cost effectively, responsibly and securely dispose of e-waste, such as old computers, monitors, TVs, mobile phones, printers and other electronics.

Recytech is Basel Certified, complying with the International Basel Convention on the regulation of the global trade in hazardous wastes. Basel Certification gives assurance that e-waste is being disposed of safely and responsibly, using best practice processes.

E-waste facts:

• E-waste is toxic and can harm the environment and human health
• Space for landfills is scarce
• There is an opportunity to recover and re-use valuable
• materials
• The is an increasing amount of e-waste in the community
• Consumers do not know what to do with their e-waste.

E-waste in New Zealand: Five Years On, eDay New Zealand Trust, June 2011.

ENDS

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