[LINK] 1.6m computers into landfill, 1.8 into storage

[Adam Todd]

At 07:07 PM 12/11/2006, Fred Pilcher wrote:
>On Sunday 12 November 2006 17:34, Kim Holburn wrote:
> > Gee, I took a really old Computer and a Mac SE/30 to the tip
> > yesterday (Aussie Junk at Mitchell in Canberra) and I had to pay $15
> > for the "cpu" and $20 for the "monitor" - the SE/30 qualified as a
> > monitor.
> >
> > I'd reckon it'd be a lot cheaper to put them in your wheelie bin one
> > by one than to take them to the dump at the moment.
>
>Yeah - same here. I can understand that it's expensive to dispose of this
>stuff safely, but those prices all but guarantee that people will do exactly
>what you've described.

I have to be grateful that hanging onto a stack of SLA and car batteries 
the last four years I've finally been able to get rid of them free of 
charges.  Last weekend there was a Collex cleanup for chemicals.  Also got 
rid of an old tin of paint :)

But once a year or so isn't really an affective solution.

>If ever there was a case for funding something as a public good, this is it.

Well I think I reported once before on Link when I was trying to get rid of 
the Sealed Lead Acid batteries previously.  Calling the company that 
recycles them in Sydney they wanted to charge me $130 per battery 
irrespective of size.  (large SLA's are around $30 new small ones are about 
$5, and car batteries are from $30 to $90)

They told me to "coat them in cement and put them in my general rubbish."

I was horrified.

Won't want to do that around Epping will you!