A record-breaking 25.5 tonnes of e-waste was collected at the City’s last collection day – almost half the weight of a space shuttle – keeping it out of landfill where hazardous materials can leach into waterways.
Hundreds of televisions, computer monitors and printers added to the largest ever e-waste haul since the popular, free program began in 2008.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore thanked the Sydneysiders who turned up in cars, on foot and by bike to offload their old and unwanted electrical items.
“This is a fantastic e-waste result for Sydney – we’ve saved close to half the weight of a space shuttle, and 95 per cent of the raw materials recovered will be recycled,” the Lord Mayor said.
“There was a total of 670 drop-offs during the six-hour collection, smashing our previous record by five tonnes. It’s encouraging to see such a strong response to our e-waste drop-off, with so many residents taking the time to responsibly dispose of unwanted electrical products.
“The City has taken a lead role in recycling old electronics through our regular e-waste recycling collections, as we continue to do our part to cut down on the levels of household waste being sent to landfill.”
Australians generate more than 140,000 tonnes of e-waste each year and most of it ends up in landfill. As well as putting more pressure on limited landfill capacity, e-waste can be hazardous to the natural environment.
In the past year alone, the City has helped more than 3,200 households recycle nearly 100 tonnes of electronic and unwanted household waste.
The City’s next e-waste collection in on Saturday 4 June 2016 at Bunnings Warehouse Alexandria.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Claire Thompson, phone 0408 414 376 or email cthompson1@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0499 319 385 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au