Business Services Scoping Study of Recycling of Redundant Computer Equipment
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Executive Summary
A large but unknown number of computers that have reached the end of their useful life are being dumped in landfill.
The volume of electronic waste accumulating in households is increasing. There are currently estimated to be about 4 million unused computers in households around Australia.
Cathode ray tubes are the most difficult part of a typical desktop computer to dispose of correctly.
The Federal Government, State Governments and Territories have formed the Environmental Protection and Heritage Council, which has asked the computer industry for a proposal by October of this year on the recycling of used computer equipment.
Some highly regarded computer companies already have computer recycling programmes in place for computers being returned at the end of their leases. Typically this does not cover computers owned by households.
Sustainability Victoria, part of the Victorian State Government operates 'Byteback'; for the recycling of computers from households. One site in Melbourne is already operating and more are planned. When the national scheme commences, Byteback will become part of it.
At least two Business Services, in have had experience in dismantling computers. They have provided valuable information of the costs and the suitability of this work for people with disabilities.
The conclusion reached is that this work is suitable, potentially profitable and the total size of the national market is somewhere between 1 and 1.6 million computers per annum available for recycling.
An analysis of the structure of the sector has been undertaken and the principal issues identified.
Two competitive strategies have been identified, one for rural and regional Australia and one for the cities.
The competitive strategy for rural and regional Australia plays to the strengths of Business Services in that they are represented in every town and city around Australia. This is a strength unmatched by any of the current players.
The cities strategy is more problematic. The proposal is to negotiate an alliance with one of the three major recyclers. One of the recycling companies has the necessary equipment for an approved method of disposing of cathode ray tubes.
A possible option is to establish the 'Business Services E Recycling Group'; to act as an umbrella organization for the Business Services who wish to be involved. This organization will assist with negotiating the contracts and act as a 'clearing house'; to ensure information and best practices are shared amongst all those involved.
An outline plan has been prepared covering the first three years of the project including estimates of possible sales.
The number of new jobs created for people with disabilities has been estimated at between 112 and 320 positions.
The biggest risk to the project will be in not achieving the sales levels forecast in the time period. However the evidence in the report supports the contention that the sales will be achieved but the timing could differ from the forecast.