Waste Levy on Imported TVs Proposed by New Zealand
The Consumer Electronics Association and the Environment Ministry of New Zealand are working on a product stewardship plan for the 250,000 TV sets imported each year into the country. The new plan, which would become law, would have one of two options.
The first would be to have Customs collect a flat-rate levy of 30 dollars on each of the sets. The other would see a levy of 40 dollars on television sets with screens larger than 30 inches, and a 10 dollar levy on smaller TVs.
20,000 televisions imported each year that do not comply with an international standard limiting the use of hazardous substances could face an additional five dollar levy.
All this would be part of a new waste minimization bill that has to be passed before the plan goes into effect. Customs also has to agree to collect the levy.
All 11 major television makers, including Sony, Panasonic, Samsung and Philips, have backed the proposal, which could later be extended to gaming consoles, DVD players, set-top boxes and other consumer electronics products. Retailers The Warehouse, Farmers, Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs are also supporting it.
Use Earth 911 to find local options to recycle your old TV.
