Consultation on e-waste ban to landfill regulations begins

• Western Australians can now have their say on laws banning e-waste to landfill
• Bans will come into force in 2024
• A broad range of electrical and electronic items including household items are part of the initial ban

The public can now have their say on regulations that will ban e-waste from landfill.

E-waste items like televisions, mobile phones, computers, screens, data storage, refrigerators, dishwashers, batteries, medical devices, lighting and lamps are included in the first phase of bans. Future phases are likely to capture small household appliances like kettles, toasters and vacuums, photovoltaics including solar panels, as well as monitoring and control equipment.

Businesses that have more than 200 employees or create more than 5 tonnes of regulated e-waste will need to responsibly manage e-waste and keep records of their waste management practices.

Operators of landfill sites must not dispose of regulated e-waste, and business and e-waste service providers must not send or leave regulated e-waste to landfill.

The consultation period lasts for eight weeks and will be open until 5pm Wednesday 22 November 2023. For more details, to read the regulations and information paper, or register for an information session, visit https://consult.dwer.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:

"You can now have your say on these important reforms to ensure e-waste is disposed of properly and we are working to implement this ban by 2024.

"Banning e-waste disposal to landfill means we can recover valuable materials that would otherwise be lost, and in the process, build local industries as well as protect the environment.

"Larger businesses will need to take responsibility to manage the e-waste they produce and will be prohibited from sending it to landfill for disposal."