Get rid of old electronics today

A scene from eDay 2009. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Fifty collection points have been set up around the country today for people with old electronic gear to get rid of.

The drive-through eDay is expected to divert a thousand tonnes of waste from landfills, with 80,000 tonnes of old computers and mobile phones going to the dump in New Zealand every year.

eDay organiser Laurence Zwimpfer says it's important they're recycled whenever it's possible. He says landfilling electronic waste is dangerous because of its toxic nature, and doesn't allow for the recovery and re-use of precious material like gold.

For details, visit www.eday.org.nz.

- Newstalk ZB