Title: Electronic waste: an emerging issue in solid waste management in Australia

Authors: Sunil Herat

Addresses: Griffith School of Engineering, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Queensland 4111, Australia

Abstract: Electronic waste or e-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world today. Around 20-50 million tonnes of e-waste produced worldwide annually cause serious social problems and an environmental threats to many countries. Australia has 12th largest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) market in the world. Currently there are around 14 million computers in use in Australia with 3 million entering the market each year. The aim of this paper to provide an overview of how Australia deals with the emerging issue of used computers given that there is no national legislation to deal with it.

Keywords: electronic waste; e-waste; Australia; used computers; EPR; extended producer responsibility; recycling; re-use; policy development; solid waste; waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2009.024704

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2009 Vol.3 No.1/2, pp.120 - 134

Published online: 15 Apr 2009 *

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