Following our own nation’s (The USA, for our international readers) first signs of progress in implementing a national policy towards e waste (see previous article),  Australia has decided to up the ante and fully pass e waste legislation to be implemented! Way to go Australia!Just announced today by gmagazine.com.au, the Australian environmental ministers have proposed a new recycling program focusing on old computers and televisions. Much like the US and other developed nations, Australia shared an abysmal track record of e waste production with little to no recycling facilities or policies, leaving much to be tossed or exported. In 2007-2008 alone only 1 out of 10 tossed computers/televisions was recycled in Australia, a country that produced almost 44 million tonnes the year before.However with this new policy, planned for 2011, Australia’s goal is to have up to 80% of all scrapped televisions/computers by 2021.While this may seem a long way off, just the fact that such progress is being made to slow the e-waste tide is already a fantastic start.  We here at trade2save applaud the Australian government to take responsibility and step in to face a problem before it get’s completely out of control. Consumers can rejoice as e waste drop offs are planned to be free of charge, with government and manufacturers taking the costs. In the mean time manufacturers plan to implement higher costs in better quality, longer lived electronics, emphasizing refurbishing and reselling. Hopefully we too in the states will see our current e-waste bill be passed, leading to such ambitious e waste policies. Until then, keep buying/selling/trading nt!