Council holds annual e-waste collection on islands

Redland City Council hopes to collect more than three tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) for recycling during an annual collection drive for the island communities from 12 to 28 February 2022.

Mayor Karen Williams said e-waste was one of the fastest growing types of waste worldwide and most could be recycled.

“Australia generates the highest amount of e-waste per capita in the world, with the average household creating more than 73kg of e-waste each year,” she said.

“It is estimated that, globally, more than 80 per cent of e-waste is sent to landfill or dumped illegally.

“Council offers a full-time e-waste collection service at the mainland recycling and waste centres at Birkdale and Redland Bay and these two centres collect more than 250 tonnes of e-waste each year.

“Our e-waste recyclers are able to recover about 96 per cent of the materials they receive.

“These materials are able to be processed and eventually used in the manufacture of new products, which supports Council’s commitment to a circular economy.”

Cr Williams said Council wanted to give island residents a similar opportunity to thoughtfully dispose of unwanted e-waste items in their homes.

“E-waste collection drives held on the islands in 2020 and 2021 proved it was a popular initiative, with residents dropping off more than two tonnes each year.

“We hope to increase the amount of e-waste collected this year and I encourage our island residents to take advantage of this annual collection drive.”

As an incentive, residents can swap their e-waste for a free native plant on the weekend of 12-13 February at both the island and mainland recycling and waste centres.

This offer is available to the first 25 residents per island site and to the first 75 residents at each of the mainland sites at Birkdale and Redland Bay.

Electronic waste includes:

Large whitegoods, such as refrigerators and washing machines, can be delivered to recycling and waste centres as scrap metal at any time during normal opening hours.

Island businesses can deliver household equivalent amounts of e-waste at no charge and are urged to contact council on 3829 8999 (8am-5pm, Monday to Friday) for advice if they have larger amounts to dispose of.

From 12 to 28 February 2022, island residents can drop their e-waste at recycling and waste centres located on North Stradbroke, Coochiemudlo, Macleay and Russell islands. Mainland residents can drop their e-waste at Birkdale or Redland Bay recycling and waste centres year round.

For more information on the e-waste collection drive go to Council’s website.