Ruapehu TV Takeback Gets Underway
From Wednesday 21 August Ruapehu residents will be able to recycle their old TV’s at Council Transfer Stations in
Taumarunui, National Park and Waimarino for only five bucks.
Ruapehu District Council (RDC) Waste Minimisation Officer, Steve Carson, said that the five dollar TV recycling deal is
available thanks to a subsidy from the Ministry for the Environment.
“Although it’s not necessary to buy a new TV to go digital many people are using the changeover as an opportunity to
upgrade their set,” he said.
“To encourage recycling the Ministry in conjunction with specialist electronics recyclers and local councils is
subsidising the cost of recycling the old televisions.”
“Each district around New Zealand has been allocated a fixed number of TV’s that the Ministry will subsidise based on
their population size.”
“Ruapehu has been allocated 593 TVs with the subsidy running until 12 January 2014 or until the allocation is filled
up.”
Mr Carson noted that it was “anyone’s guess” as to how many people will want to take advantage of the $5 subsidy offer
but it would be very disappointing if we (Ruapehu) didn’t use up our whole allocation.
“In the South Island however that went digital at the end of April over 50,000 sets have been collected.”
“Based on the success of the TV TakeBack scheme down in the South Island we would encourage people to not leave it too
late,” he said.
Mr Carson added that the $5 subsidy was limited to one TV per household.
“Many people are unaware that although most of Ruapehu goes digital from 1 December Taumarunui and Ohura viewers need to
go digital before 29 September to keep watching TV3, Prime and Maori Television.”
“The other free-to-air channels in this area are going digital on 1 December.”
“If anyone has any questions on the TV TakeBack in Ruapehu they can get more information from council’s website; www.ruapehudc.govt.nz or call me directly via their local council office.”
PETER TILL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
PJT : PRW
ENDS