What was cutting-edge five years ago is now slow, cumbersome or redundant. The increasing interconnectivity of TV, computers, set-top boxes and PDAs (iPhone, BlackBerry etc) plus rapidly evolving software applications makes the need to upgrade equipment on a regular basis almost mandatory.
While technological progress is presumably a good thing, it comes at a cost in the form of e-waste. What to do with that old PC, cellphone or TV?
In 2008, 17 million Australian TVs, computers and like devices reached the end of their life. And 88 percent went straight into landfill with just nine percent being recycled.
This waste takes up large amounts of landfill and poses a danger to the surrounding environment through toxic materials used in components.
Jackson Wells’ client, Dell Australia, is at the forefront internationally in dealing with this problem. The corporation is working with the Federal Government to implement a National Waste Policy.
Dell’s global recycling policy is based on more than a decade of international experience providing recycling and re-use services directly to customers.
In Australia, it collects Dell-branded equipment from a home or small business in any location.
Since introducing its computer recycling service to Australia and New Zealand in 2004, Dell Australia has helped customers reuse and recycle more than 800 tonnes of equipment.
It is estimated that 98 percent of computer products (by weight) can be diverted from landfill by a well-run and resourced recycling scheme.
The Federal Government has announced it will establish a national scheme for recycling computers and televisions, with households able to drop off old products for free recycling.
Prior to announcing the scheme, the government called for submissions from industry on how best to deal with e-waste and Jackson Wells assisted Dell formulate its response.
Jackson Wells is also worked with Dell as part of an industry committee to establish the national recycling scheme.
Appropriate government relations strategy recognises the importance of not just going to government when you need something. It’s all about working with government and providing insights and advice on particular issues and policy areas.
Any company that thinks it may need to influence government policy needs to remember that a government is more likely to listen when it has a relationship based on reciprocity.
Dell at cutting edge of e-recycling
The pace at which home computing and multimedia technologies are advancing is breathtaking - It’s also creating a serious environmental problem.
