Good riddance to those old TVs

TV TAKEBACK: Carterton residents are being encouraged to take advantage of the subsidised recycling offer from the Ministry for the Environment and dispose of their unwanted TV sets. PHOTO/FILE

Carterton residents are being urged to recycle unwanted televisions for a subsidised fee at the TV Takeback collection site at the Dalefield Rd transfer station.

So far at least 158 television sets have been collected in the district.

The town has used up close to half of its allocated quota, said Mike Mendonca, Ministry for the Environment director of operations.

The TV TakeBack programme was launched by Minister for the Environment Amy Adams.

Mr Mendonca said the scheme aimed to encourage the public to recycle their unwanted TVs, diverting them from landfills and for a limited time, residents could drop off unwanted TVs for a subsidised fee of up to $5.

TV TakeBack was also investing in recycling infrastructure and raising public awareness about the benefits of recycling TVs, he said.

"Those in Carterton have the opportunity to dispose of their unwanted TVs responsibly.

"With Labour Weekend coming up, there's never been a better time to get rid of that old TV sitting in the garage, spare bedroom or bach," Mr Mendonca said.

"TVs contain valuable components which can be recycled locally, or sent overseas to specialist recycling facilities, as well as hazardous materials such as lead that can be harmful to the environment and shouldn't be thrown away.

"Metals such as steel can be melted down and used in new items for the construction or agricultural industries. Precious metals can also be recovered for use in new electronic items. Glass can be remanufactured overseas into new televisions or monitors, used for sandblasting or in industrial processes."

Schools and kura in the lower North Island enviroschools network also have the chance to win great prizes if they dispose of unwanted TVs responsibly, Mr Mendonca said.

When students recycled an old TV at a participating drop-off site, they could nominate an enviroschool of their choice.

The enviroschool with the best participation rate would win a Samsung technology package that includes a 46-inch LED smart TV and a home theatre system, he said.

All enviroschools nominated would also go into a draw to receive two Samsung Note 8 tablets.

The lower North Island Enviroschools Challenge, which included Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu, the greater Wellington region and East Cape, would close on November 28, Mr Mendonca said.

Funding for the recycling and contest schemes came from the Waste Minimisation Fund to cover investment in recycling infrastructure, subsidies for TV recycling and a public awareness programme, Mr Mendonca said, and money for the fund came from a levy charged on waste disposal at landfills.

Information on the location of drop-off sites and retailers involved in the programme at www.tvtakeback.govt.nz