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1 Introduction

There is a growing concern, both within New Zealand and internationally, about the environmental and health problems associated with waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE). Computer monitors, components and circuit boards contain highly toxic substances such as lead, beryllium, mercury, cadmium and brominated-flame retardants. Redundant desktop computers and their peripherals, especially cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors and television sets (TVs), are of major concern due to the significant amounts of lead they contain.

There has been a rapid growth in the number of computers and other electronic equipment during the last 10 to 15 years. Much of this equipment is now reaching the end of its life and is being disposed of in landfills in the absence of any other more environmentally sound methods. Landfilling is not a sustainable solution, however, not just because of the potential risk from the hazardous substances, but also due to the loss of valuable resources. The prudent course of action is to reduce landfilling and increase reuse and recycling, even if it does not affect today’s generation.

The Government, through the Ministry for the Environment, is working with electronic equipment suppliers to find a long-term sustainable solution. In the meantime, government agencies and other organisations can contribute to environmental sustainability by modifying their practices when buying, using and disposing of ICT equipment.

This survey summarises current practices in 48 Government public sector organisations in New Zealand. The results of this survey have been used, along with information from a number of overseas organisations (including major suppliers of ICT equipment and services), to develop good practice guidelines for New Zealand organisations. These guidelines have been published separately.

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