WARD TAKES ACTION ON E-WASTE CRISIS WITH NEW BILL

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has today introduced a bill that will position NSW as a leader in tackling the growing e-waste crisis, aligning the State with South Australia and Victoria in banning e-waste from landfill.

The Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (e-Waste) Bill 2025 seeks to amend the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 to prevent e-waste from being sent to landfill and to mandate e-waste recycling.  

“While South Australia and Victoria have already banned e-waste in landfill, and Western Australia is committed to doing so, NSW must step up and take decisive action,” Mr Ward said.

“From the ground-up efforts of local champions like Wade Cawley to the innovative work of NSW-based recyclers like Sircel, there is a clear call for change. This bill will not only prevent harmful pollution but also drive a circular economy, creating green jobs and transforming e-waste from a problem into an opportunity.

“Globally, e-waste generation is spiralling. The United Nations reports that 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced in 2022, an 82 per cent increase since 2010, and this is projected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. Alarmingly, the world generates e-waste five times faster than it is recycled, and in 2022, we buried $62 billion worth of recoverable natural resources.  

“Australia is a significant contributor to this problem, generating more than double the global average of e-waste per capita. In 2022, only 22 per cent of e-waste was properly collected and recycled here, a stark reminder that we need to do better.”  

“This bill is about more than just waste management; it's about environmental responsibility, public health, and economic opportunity. It’s time to stop burying valuable resources and start creating a sustainable future for NSW. We have the solutions; we now need the political will to implement them,” Mr Ward concluded.