Media release 27 February 2007

Workplaces targeted in Business Clean Up Day campaign to combat e-waste crisis

For the first time, 110 of the 371 businesses taking part in Business Clean Up Day today across the country have registered their workplaces as clean up sites with thousands of staff collecting electronic or e-waste in a bid to recycle and re-use mobiles phones, old computers and printing equipment such as toner cartridges.

Speaking from the Kyocera Clean Up site in Sydney, Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman and Founder of Clean Up Australia and David Finn, Managing Director of Kyocera Mita Australia challenged producers to take greater responsibility for their products that end up creating or generating waste.

“With electronic waste being sent to landfill at three times the rate of general waste it is clear that voluntary codes are not going to address the problem. We need legislation that obliges manufacturers to collect and recycle their e-waste products,” said Ian Kiernan.

Long term official supporter of Business Clean Up Day, Kyocera Mita Australia, is taking the plea a step further, urging worldwide equipment supply companies and local manufacturers to follow their lead and tackle the massive problem of e-waste, by redesigning their new product ranges with the environment in mind.   

“Kyocera is challenging other manufacturing companies to adopt their charter of “Recycle, Reuse, Reduce” throughout every level of their production process, which means that the quantity of parts reused and materials recycled is maximized and the use of all required resources is minimized,” said David Finn, Managing Director Kyocera Mita Australia.

Around the country businesses of all sizes also will remove rubbish from the nation’s streets, parks, bushlands and waterways as part of Business Clean Up Day. In Tasmania staff from Hydro Tasmania will clean up under the Tasman Bridge. The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland are collecting old car batteries at sites in Brisbane while in Canberra a mobile phone recycling drive will take place in the Canberra Centre.

Clean Up Australia is still taking registrations for Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday.

Individuals and community groups can get involved by visiting www.cleanup.org.au or calling 1 800 CUA DAY (1 800 282 329)
Media: Gemma Swart 0414 873 291