Hepburn Shire Council has announced a trial project that will see low-cost and safe electrical items available for purchase at the Daylesford Transfer Station.
The Victorian Government banned e-waste – any item with a plug, battery or cord that is no longer working or wanted – from landfill in 2019. E-waste can be disposed of at any of the three transfer stations in Hepburn Shire, with working items now available for sale.
Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that e-waste was the fastest growing waste stream due to continual advancements of technology.
“Electronic items cannot be disposed of in landfill as they contain toxic materials that pollute the environment and often contain valuable resources that can be recycled. Many of the items coming through the transfer stations are of a high quality and can be reused. This is part of our plan to unlock circular economy opportunities and increase resource recovery locally in our Shire,” said Cr Hood.
“Recycling your e-waste is important, but if we can avoid creating it, that is even better. If you have an item that still works, consider trying to find a new home for it first – friends, family, sell it, donate it or bring it to one of our transfer stations. If the item is small, you can take it to your local customer service centre or hub,” he said.
Electronic items received through Transfer Station e-waste collections will undergo a safety inspection and will be made available to the community at the Daylesford Tip Shop.
Council will review the results of this trial in six months, with the intention of extending the program to the Creswick and Trentham transfer stations.
The program aims to recycle safe second-hand electronics back through the community, offering a low-cost solution to purchasing electronics and decreasing e-waste. It also aims to raise awareness of issues associated with e-waste and encourage residents to reconsider buying new electronic items. This ties in with Council’s work in its four-year plan to develop and promote a circular economy and to support sustainability goals.
For operating hours visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/transfer-stations.
