The Andrews Labor Government has awarded 76 councils with $16.5 million to help them manage Victoria’s e-waste and keep it out of landfill.

Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Shaun Leane today announced Whitehorse City Council would receive $100,000 to fund the upgrade of their e-waste collection and storage sites and help council to safely store and collect the increasing volumes of e-waste.

The statewide funding will result in 98 per cent of Victorians having reasonable access to drop off facilities, ahead of the Labor Government’s ban on e-waste coming in to effect in July next year.

Councils will be equipped to receive discarded electronics, which will be stripped of components for reprocessing into new technology or sold on the second-hand goods market.

To help residents prepare for the ban, the Labor Government is also providing councils with $790,000 to deliver local education campaigns. Applications will open in November for councils to apply for up to $10,000 in funding.

E-waste can be described as anything with a plug or a battery that is at the end of its useful life. It includes everything from old mobile phones, computers, audio devices, refrigerators and other white goods, hair dryers, TVs, heaters, and air-conditioners.

The amount of e-waste generated in Victoria is projected to increase from 109,000 tonnes in 2015 to approximately 256,000 tonnes in 2035.

The upgrades will ensure 98 per cent of Victorians in metropolitan areas will be within a 20-minute drive of an e-waste disposal point, and 98 per cent of Victorians in regional areas will be within a 30-minute drive of an e-waste disposal point.

For more information visit: sustainability.vic.gov.au/Campaigns/eWaste/About-the-ewaste-program

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Shaun Leane

“The more valuable e-waste we can keep out of landfill, the better and this funding will help us do that.”

“We’re giving our local council the support it needs to recycle the growing volumes of e-waste materials.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“This funding will ensure Victoria has one of best e-waste collection infrastructure networks in the country.”

“We’re delivering on our promise to maximise recycling and minimise the damage e-waste has on our environment.”