ELECTRONIC WASTE DISPOSAL

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:45.): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Can the minister advise the house about the support the government is providing to assist in the safe disposal of electronic waste?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:45): I thank the member for Reynell for her very important question and acknowledge the role that she has played within her community on all matters of sustainability. The safe disposal of electronic waste is a high priority for the government and, indeed, is an issue of national and international concern.

Old televisions, computers and other unwanted electronic items, known as e-waste, contain useful elements, such as nickel, zinc, aluminium, gold and copper but also can contain hazardous materials, such as lead and mercury. The Environment Protection (Waste to Resources) Policy 2009 contains provisions which ban the disposal of various materials to landfill. Computer monitors and televisions, as well as other electrical and electronic equipment, will not be able to be disposed to landfill in metropolitan Adelaide from 1 September 2012, with this prohibition being extended to other areas of South Australia from 20 September 2013.

At the national level, the commonwealth government has implemented legislation to establish a national recycling scheme for televisions and computers which will require industry to take responsibility, including financial responsibility, for taking back and recycling these products at the end of life. This national recycling scheme is expected to be in place in mid to late 2012. In the meantime, the state government has assisted councils with funding to collect e-waste from householders throughout our state, with 19,086 televisions (equating to 428 tonnes of e-waste) having been collected from across regional South Australia by early 2011, and some 515 tonnes of e-waste for recycling through metropolitan collection.

I am pleased to announce that on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December 2011 Zero Waste SA, together with several councils and with industry backing, will host another two-day e-waste collection—

An honourable member: What date was that?

The Hon. P. CAICA: It's Saturday 3 and 4 December 2011. I would suggest that you should put it in your diary. It will host another two-day e-waste collection across metropolitan Adelaide. The government supports industry led and funded recycling initiatives and welcomes opportunities to host other e-waste events that could be sponsored by major brand owners. In this case, we thank Apple for its involvement in this particular process. This initiative and others orchestrated through Zero Waste SA support the government's numerous commitments to achieving a sustainable future for all South Australians.