Victorian grants to boost e-waste infrastructure

Victorian industry and local councils could get a share of $2 million in government grants to help improve the state’s e-waste infrastructure.

The funding will focus on building e-waste reprocessing capability and capacity — allowing resources such as plastics and precious metals to be re-used or recycled. It will also support e-waste’s continued collection and storage, according to the Victorian Government. 

July 2019 saw the government ban e-waste to landfill in a bid to ensure the items’ safe disposal and reduce the harm they may have on the environment and human health.  

E-waste — defined as any failed or unwanted item with a plug, battery or cord — is “the fastest-growing type of waste worldwide, with most electronic devices, such as phones, computers, TVs and whitegoods, ending up in landfill”, the government said.

The government previously issued $16.5 million to “upgrade e-waste collection sites across Victoria and raise public awareness about how to dispose of e-waste correctly”, it said.

The state currently has over 1000 e-waste drop-off points, it claimed. 

More information about e-waste and the grants can be found via Sustainability Victoria’s website.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Sergey