A MESSAGE FROM CLEAN UP

One of the greatest challenges facing our generation is learning to live within a rapidly changing climate.

Aware that the efforts of single members of the community will not be enough, Clean Up is now working with businesses that are prepared to take quantum leaps in the evolution of yesterday's thinking into sustainable business based solutions utilising new technologies and products.

This thinking is generating fantastic opportunities for the fast moving and resourceful operators. Information technology is at the forefront of this evolution. A key element in this equation is producers taking responsibility for the sustainable development, manufacture, distribution and disposal of the content and packaging around the products and services they create.

These products and services come to users in a box; components are used in their manufacture; water and power are used in production; emissions are created along the way; they are distributed through a supply chain - all of these factors have an impact.

Clean Up works with business to showcase emerging technology and innovative products that assist users to reduce their impact on the environment under the banner of Clean Up Our Climate. We want every day to be a Clean Up Day.

Clean Up Australia chief executive, Terrie-Ann Johnson

Top 10 E-waste Facts:

1. Australians discard more than 10,000 tonnes of used batteries every year
2. 75 per cent of the 3 million computers bought in Australia every year will end up in landfill
3. Electronic waste is responsible for 70 per cent of the toxics chemicals such as lead, cadmium and mercury found in landfill
4. Business accounts for 50 per cent of annual computer sales in Australia
5. More than 7 million mobile phones are sold in Australia every year
6. The average life of a mobile phone is two years
7. Less than 5 per cent of mobile phones are recycled
8. Electronic waste is one of the top five priority items under extended producer responsibility
9. E-waste is being sent to landfill at three times the rate of general waste
10. Manufacturing of a standard desktop uses 1.8 tonnes of materials, including at least 240kg of fossil fuels, 22kg of chemicals and 1.500 litres of water (Source: True green at work: 100 ways to make the environment your business)

Top 10 Tips for reducing business e-waste:

1. Buy good quality, repairable office equipment
2. If you must print - print double-sided
3. Only buy equipment for producers that undertake to collect and recycle at the end of life
4. Don't dump it - donate your mobile phone to Clean Up Australia
5. Join an industry group - learn what works from one another
6. Switch from printed publications to interactive electronic formats
7. Only buy five-star white goods for your officer
8. Only use rechargeable batteries
9. Donate old office equipment to schools, charities or organisations that can refurbish or reuse them
10. When closing office equipment check the annual Computer Report card produced by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (Source: True green at work: 100 ways to make the environment your business)

For more information about Clean Up, visit www.cleanup.com.au

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