The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) welcomes the announcement by State and Federal Environment Ministers of a new National Waste Policy and product stewardship framework.

AMTA manages the only voluntary electronics product stewardship scheme in Australia – MobileMuster. This free mobile phone take-back program has been voluntarily funded by mobile phone manufacturers and network carriers since 1999. It has collected and recycled more than 621 tonnes of mobile phone components, including more than 4.28 million handsets and batteries.

Chris Althaus, CEO, said. “By introducing national legislation that ensures television and computer manufacturers contribute to the collection and recycling of their products, we can expect to see a significant improvement in e-waste collection and recycling infrastructure.

“AMTA is committed to working closely with the television and computer industries, and governments in developing a seamless e-waste collection network for consumers that is free and readily accessible.

“The accreditation of industry -led recycling schemes will also ensure, like MobileMuster, televisions and computers are recycled to the highest environmental standards and not simply dumped in developing countries.

“The EPHC Ministerial Council in November 2008 supported the Mobile Phone Industry’s Five Year Commitment to Recycling, including increasing collection rates of discarded phone to greater than 80% by 2013.

“Raising awareness and educating the community will be critical to the success of these new collection and recycling schemes. AMTA will be looking to pool resources with the television and computer industry and governments to ensure the community is well informed of how and where they can recycle their electronic products responsibly.”