The Western Australian Government is offering grants totalling up to $3.5 million to bolster the state’s electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) collection and recycling network.
This initiative aligns with an impending ban on e-waste disposal in landfills, slated to take effect later this year, the government said in a media statement.
In particular, the ban will target E-waste, encompassing items with a plug, battery, or cord that are no longer functional or desired.
A total of $10 million in funding has been earmarked for projects supporting e-waste collection and processing, with an initial $6.5 million already awarded in the first round of e-waste grants.
The grants cater to projects focusing on establishing facilities for collecting, managing, and storing e-waste for reuse or reprocessing, as well as initiatives centred on reprocessing and recycling.
This includes support for businesses to acquire and install relevant equipment.
Eligible applicants for these grants include businesses, local governments, regional councils, and registered charities.
The application window is open until 29 March 2024, and interested parties can apply through this portal.
The upcoming e-waste ban in Western Australia will cover a wide array of electronic consumer goods, including large household appliances, mobile phones, televisions, and computers.
The injection of additional funding aims to fortify the state’s commitment to responsible e-waste management and sustainability.
Environment Minister Reece Whitby stated that e-waste is a rapidly expanding waste stream, emphasising that the supplementary funding will not only generate employment opportunities but also enhance avenues for reusing and recycling waste electrical and electronic items.
“This is an important step in moving our State closer to its goal of a circular economy,” he noted.
Minister Whitby expressed anticipation for the successful execution and operation of these projects before the impending ban on e-waste disposal to landfills in Western Australia later this year.
