E Waste Disposal Comes To Toowoomba

Lifeline Darling Downs has secured a contract with Matthews Metal Management Pty Ltd to dispose of old computers, televisions and other e-waste to recover the valuable resources from these products.

“In today’s throwaway society we are finding more and more e-waste making its way into the waste stream”, said Angela Klein, Manager Business Services. “This program is a real environmental solution to a previous waste problem. Recycling of these products will take place in Australia, achieving a 95% product recovery rate.”

“Working closely with Toowoomba Regional Council we have identified the need to divert as many materials from landfill as possible. Ewaste products have the potential to leach hazardous materials such as lead, copper, nickel, and zinc into the environment, with potentially devastating results,” Angela said.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a term for electronic products that have become unwanted, non-working or obsolete, and have reached the end of their useful life. It includes computers and laptops, TVs, monitors, mobile phones, PDAs, VCRs, CD players, fax machines, printers and gaming consoles.

Fortunately, Matthews Metal Management is able to offer a solution and has been providing these services to other councils for the past 4 years. The service is offered FREE to Toowoomba Regional Council under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, which is governed by the Product Stewardship Act 2011 and Product Stewardship (Television and Computer) Regulations 2011.

“The scheme has been well supported in the major centres but has often left smaller regional areas without a solution. I am pleased to be involved and offer this service to the Toowoomba community and not only recover valuable resources from these products, but also help reduce the potential impact on the environment,” said Gordon Matthews General Manager of Matthews Metal Management.

Residents can recycle their unwanted e-waste, during normal trading hours by dropping it off at the following two Lifeline Centres –
· Lifeline Smart Tip Shop, TRC Toowoomba Waste Management Centre, Bedford Street, Cranley
· Lifeline Distribution Centre, 192A Stephen St, Toowoomba

Submitted by:
Suzie Washington
Manager Marketing and Fundraising
Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd
P 07 4699 1682 F 07 4633 0919