Old battery-powered toys can be E-Waste too

Published on 25 July 2019

DID YOU know that battery-powered toys are classed as e-waste and can be dropped off at Corangamite’s transfer stations free of charge?

Manager Environment and Emergency Lyall Bond said that Council had received a steady flow of enquiries since the State Government ban on all e-waste going to landfill from 1 July.

“There has been a lot of promotion and media around the ban, but there is still a bit of confusion about what e-waste actually is,” Mr Bond said.

E-waste, or electronic waste, is any item with a plug, cord or battery that you no longer use or want.

“This could be old toys, tablets and board games with batteries, as well as the obvious items such as toasters, televisions and fridges.”

E-waste is growing three times faster than the rate of standard municipal waste. It contains potentially hazardous and valuable materials, which don’t belong in landfill.

Mr Bond said that e-waste dropped at Corangamite’s transfer stations would be recycled.

 “E-waste items are pulled apart and the materials are sorted and cleaned, then sent away to be reused in new products.

“Plastics can become fence posts, keyboards, toys and pallets and metals can be used to create cabling,” Mr Bond said.

Corangamite’s transfer stations are in Port Campbell, Skipton, Timboon, Simpson and Derrinallum. The Corangamite Regional Landfill is in Naroghid.

For more information on E-Waste, visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/Campaigns/eWaste