Council responds to e-waste ban

Northern Grampians Shire Council residents will be able to dispose of electronic waste, e-waste, in special sheds at Stawell and St Arnaud transfer stations.

The State Government is introducing a ban on e-waste, or any device that has a plug, battery or power cord, from going into landfill from July 1.

Figures show e-waste is growing three times faster than the rate of standard municipal waste and contains many hazardous as well as valuable materials that are inappropriate for landfill.

Materials from these devices such as plastic, batteries, precious metals and glass can be turned into reusable products such as toys, keyboards, new batteries, new television screens, jewellery and more.

Sustainability Victoria is providing the new sheds at the transfer stations.

The council will work closely with Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group to roll out education programs.

Northern Grampians mayor Kevin Erwin said initially, when the ban gets underway, council will allow residents to dispose of their e-waste free of charge at transfer stations.

“We encourage our community to take advantage of this,” he said.