eDay looms for old computer gear

Anyone sick of out-of-date, unusable and worthless computer, phone and digital equipment lying around the house can safely dispose of it at eDay this weekend.

The free computer-recycling event being held in nearly 40 centres throughout the country on Saturday is expected to divert more than 1000 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) from landfills.

Organised by Computer Access New Zealand (Canz), eDay is aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of recycling computer equipment and the dangers of dumping e-waste in landfills.

Canz chairman Laurence Zwimpfer said the need for responsible e-waste disposal services was evident from the large amount of e-waste collected at last year's eDay.

"There will be a long-term sustainable solution with the passing of the Waste Minimisation Act but it could take another three years before e-waste schemes are fully operational."

Last year's eDay collected 946 tonnes of e-waste, Mr Zwimpfer said.

Only computer equipment, gaming consoles, mobile phones and digital cameras could be recycled in the eDay collection.

Other electronic equipment including televisions and stereos would not be accepted.

Canz advises people to wipe all data from hard drives and remove media such as floppy disks and PC cards before handing their computers over for recycling.

Mr Zwimpfer said collectable computers identified on the day would be auctioned on a special Trade Me charity auction site, with all proceeds contributing to the costs of eDay.

eDay organisers were looking for volunteers to assist at the Manukau, Waitakere and Christchurch drop-off sites.

In the North Island, drive-throughs will operate from 9am to 3pm in Wellington, Kapiti, Masterton, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Hawera, Stratford, New Plymouth, Napier, Gisborne, Opotiki, Rotorua, Whakatane, Tauranga, Hamilton, Manukau, Auckland City, Waitakere, North Shore City, Waiheke Island, Whangarei, Kerikeri, Kaikohe and Kaitaia.

In the South Island, collection sites will in Invercargill, Wanaka, Alexandra, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch, Amberley, Greymouth, Kaikoura, Blenheim, Nelson, Takaka, Motueka and Murchison.NZPA

* eday.org.nz