TV TakeBack: TV Recycling through RCN e-Cycle

Environment Minister Amy Adams announced phase 1 of the Government's TV TakeBack programme on Sunday 30 September 2012 .

RCN e-Cycle is a partner with the Ministry for the Environment in this project, contributing to a network of public drop-off points, nationwide recycling plants and an integrated recycling scheme. RCN e-Cycle is partnering with various Councils, Noel Leeming, Harvey Norman, Samsung and working with The Warehouse.

"This is a great opportunity for the public to recycle their TVs at a subsidised cost and divert these hazardous items from landfills" said the RCN e-Cycle Project Manager, Jon Thornhill. "We expect the Government to announce similar opportunities for the rest of New Zealand in 2013." RCN e-Cycle has 17 drop-off sites available for phase 1 of TV TakeBack in the Hawke's Bay and on the West Coast of the South Island out of a total of 31.

These sites will operate until end February 2013 and charge $10 to recycle each TV.

There is also a one off free period from 13 October to 28 October 2012, when no charges to consumers will apply.

For more information on site locations and opening hours see www.e-cycle.co.nz and www.tvtakeback.govt.nz

"In addition to our own drop off sites, we are really pleased to be working with one global TV and electronics manufacturer and New Zealand's leading retailers, to help deliver our part of this solution across the country" said Thornhill. "Their significant retail store presence and marketing activity will vastly increase the geographic drop off site options and create a lot more awareness for environmentally friendly TV recycling for all New Zealanders".

"RCN e-Cycle supports any government initiative to design and implement a framework that ensures all producers of electronic goods take responsibility for the recycling of e-waste at the product's end of life. Product stewardship models are working in Europe, Canada and other countries around the world and are currently being implemented in Australia. We now have the infrastructure in New Zealand to support such a scheme, but we need a level playing field with all manufacturers and retailers participating" said Thornhill.

The RCN e-Cycle network, established in September 2010 now provides a national, everyday, convenient and sustainable recycling solution for all New Zealanders that could and would support such a scheme.

Our other sites around the country will continue to offer TV recycling, along with all the other electronic waste products, at their standard charges. The full details of our sites and services are available through our website www.e-cycle.co.nz RCN e-Cycle is a partnership between The RCN Group and the Community Recycling Network (CRN), which received funding from the Government's Waste Minimisation Fund in 2010 and 2011 to support the set up of the infrastructure mentioned above.

RCN e-Cycle now has a network of over 50 electronic waste drop-off points throughout New Zealand working with community groups, Councils and local businesses. All the e-waste is consolidated and further dismantled at our three recycling plants in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. All e-waste (including TVs) is dismantled in New Zealand into components and recycled locally where facilities exist. Where a recycling solution does not yet exist in New Zealand, we export the materials to ISO 14001 plants overseas. Our mantra is zero waste to landfill.
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