E-Waste Upgrades for Transfer Stations

Published on 01 November 2018

Baw Baw Shire Council’s transfer stations in Lardner, Trafalgar and Neerim South will soon be upgraded to accept and recycle e-waste thanks to a $272,000 grant from Sustainability Victoria.

The funding will facilitate design, fabrication and construction of three e-waste processing and storage sheds, one at each of the nominated transfer stations.

E-waste includes any electrical equipment with a power cord or battery with parts that have been discarded as waste without the intention of re-use. This includes everything from old mobile phones, computers, audio devices, refrigerators and other white goods, hair dryers, TVs, heaters, and air-conditioners.

The upgrade program is being rolled out across the state ahead of the Victorian Government’s ban on e-waste coming into effect from 1 July 2019. Following this date, e-waste will not be accepted in landfill sites across Victoria. Instead, it must be recycled. 

The funding forms part of a $16.5 million state-wide E-waste Infrastructure Support Program announced by Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio MP back in April.

Baw Baw Shire Council was one of 76 Victorian Council’s to receive funding towards e-waste management infrastructure. Lardner, Trafalgar and Neerim South transfer stations are among 130 sites identified for upgrading.

The transfer station in Erica was not nominated for an infrastructure upgrade due to the smaller scale operation however residents will be able to dispose of e-waste at the facility.

A tender for the infrastructure construction is currently open. Works are anticipated to commence at toward the end of this year and be completed in the first half of 2019.

“E-waste items contain both hazardous materials which can harm the environment and human health, and valuable materials such as gold, silver, copper, nickel and zinc which are well worth recovering.”

“It’s great that we can work together with the Victorian Government to do the right thing by our community and the environment.”

“The upgrades will increase community access to best practise e-waste disposal points and expand Council’s capacity and capability to safely collect and store the increasing volumes of e-waste.”

“Council is committed to safe and sustainable practices. We’re pleased to be able to provide residents across the Shire with better access to waste and recycling facilities.”

“It’s great to see the East Ward receive new infrastructure to support our community and help keep e-waste out of landfill.”