The creation of a new scheme to combat the increasing waste created by disposal of used and abandoned computer and television sets has been announced by Peter Garrett, the Federal Environment Minister. After years of lobbying from some of the biggest television and computer manufacturer in the market, the announcement has finally come through.

Under the new scheme, users will be able to send in their old and used TVs and PCs for recycling. There will be no charges and the program will be funded via a levy on all imports. A large amount of recycling is expected to be generated through this program.

"Under the new product stewardship scheme, 80 per cent of all TVs and computers are expected to be recycled by 2021'', Minister Garrett said." It has been 17 years since these issues were looked at in a national context and we now have a clear path for future action and a huge step up on existing efforts".

As per Government figures, in 2006 and 2007 alone, the country had produced 43,777,000 tonnes of waste. This was a 31% increase in just five years. The new scheme, as per the Government's plans, will be all set and running by 2011.