400,000 TVs to be ditched under digital TV changeover

Thousands of televisions could end up in landfills unless action is taken before the switch to digital TV starts next year, Labour's Charles Chauvel says.

However Environment Minister Nick Smith said officials were working on how to handle the estimated 400,000 televisions that will be ditched.

To go to digital, viewers with older televisions can buy a set-top box for about $150 and possibly a new aerial or satellite dish depending on what equipment they have and where they live. However many were expected to simply buy a new compatible set.

During a select committee hearing today Mr Chauvel said he was concerned about the approaching deadline -- the first switchovers will be September next year.

Electronic waste collection day Eday did not take TVs and may not go ahead this year.

"Wouldn't it be great to just have a product stewardship scheme for computers and TVs and don't you think this is an area where we need to push things along?" he asked.

Dr Smith said last year the Government had contracts with the Community Recycling Network and recycling company RCN to set up 20 permanent recycling facilities for electronic waste.

However they charge.

"That's a major disincentive," Mr Chauvel said.

"A lot of this nasty stuff is going to end up in landfills because there isn't an Eday, there isn't a daily or free or low cost way to get rid of this stuff...you've got to do something about that surely."

Dr Smith said he was taking action on the TVs.

"We have got the got the Ministry for the Environment specifically working with the Ministry of Economic Development around a specific recycling scheme for...the about 400,000 tellies that we are expected to become defunct as a consequence of the switch over to digital television.

"Watch this space."

For other electronic waste the Government was talking to some nationwide networks about a further service and was considering a number of Waste Minimisation Fund applications around the recycling of the lead glass in TVs which was a "major" environmental problem, Dr Smith said.

He would consider electronic stewardship -- where industry is involved in recycling their own products.