EDay

eDay is an annual New Zealand initiative, started by Computer Access New Zealand, aimed to raise awareness of the potential dangers associated with electronic waste and to offer the opportunity for such waste to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly fashion.

History

eDay was first held in Wellington in 2006, as a pilot sponsored by Dell, the event bought in convert|54|t|lb of old computers, mobile phones and other non-biodegradable electronic material. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10464621|title=Bin your old PC on eDay|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-05|date=2007-09-17] In 2007 the initiative was extended to cover 12 locations, which resulted in it becoming a national initiative,cite web|url=http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/waste/e-waste-survey-eday2007-nov07/index.html|title=e-Waste Survey for eDay 2007|accessdate=2008-10-05|publisher=Ministry for the Environment] convert|415|t|lb were collected.cite web|url=http://www.eday.org.nz/about-eday.asp|title=What is eDay?|publisher=eDay|accessdate=2008-10-05] eDay 2008 was held on October 4 and extended to 32 centres.cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/4715644a6479.html|title=Today's the day to recycle computers|date=2008-10-04|accessdate=2008-10-05|publisher=The Dominion Post, Fairfax New Zealand]

Purpose

The initiative was started to minimise the amount of electronic waste being disposed on in landfills, based on evidence from reports that there was an estimated 16 million electronic devices in use in New Zealand and that 1 million new devices were being introduced every year, the report found that the majority of these devices were being disposed in landfills rather than being recycled. [Citation|title=e-Waste in New Zealand: taking responsibility for end-of-life computers and TVs|publisher=Computer Access NZ Trust|date=2006] cite web|url=http://www.eday.org.nz/what-is-e-waste.asp|title=What is e-waste|publisher=eDay|accessdate=2008-10-05] A separate report found that half of New Zealand schools did not recycle outdated and replaced equipment, opting instead to deposit it in landfills. [Citation|title=ICT in New Zealand Schools|publisher=2020 Communications Trust|date=2007] When disposed in landfills there is a possibility of the harmful chemicals in the electronic equipment, such as mercury, lead and cadmium, contaminating groundwater and coming into contact with humans or animals, the toxins in the chemicals are capable of causing serious health issues, such as nervous system and brain damage. [cite web|url=http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/waste/weee-literature-review-jun06/weee-literature-review-jun06.pdf|title=A Literature Review on the Environmental and Health Impacts of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment|publisher=Ministry for the Environment|author=Dr R E Horne|author2=J Gertsakis|accessdate=2008-10-05] When recycled, the chemicals are disposed of safely and potentially valuable parts can be reused.

Initiative

On the day, drive-thru collection points are established and volunteers operate each centre. Businesses, schools and the public are encouraged to dispose of old computer hardware, mobile phones and printer cartridges. As well as collecting material, the initiative is also designed to increase awareness about the harmful effects of electronic waste. [cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/2174494|title=E-Day is time to ditch that old PC|publisher=TVNZ|accessdate=2008-10-05|date=2008-10-04] [cite web|url=http://www.eday.org.nz/how-can-i-get-involved.asp|title=How can I get involved?|publisher=eDay|accessdate=2008-10-05]

Acclaim

Computer Access New Zealand were awarded the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment 2008 Green Ribbon Award for Community action and involvement. [cite web|url=http://www.mfe.govt.nz/withyou/awards/green-ribbon-2008-winners.html|title=The 2008 Green Ribbon Awards winners|publisher=Ministry for the Environment|accessdate=2008-10-05]

References

External links

* [http://www.eday.org.nz/ eDay website]