Bring Your Electronic and Electrical Waste to eWaste Connection Yeronga!

Yeronga’s eWaste Connection, a community-driven initiative has been nominated for the 2023 WasteSMART People’s Choice Award. This award recognises the remarkable efforts of individuals, community groups, and businesses in Brisbane who have made significant contributions to making the city cleaner, greener, and more sustainable.

eWaste Connection stands out as an exceptional nominee, providing a safe and inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities to actively reduce e-waste and promote sustainability. Their workshop program operates six days a week, involving around 160 people with disabilities and 69 dedicated volunteers in the recycling, repair, and refurbishment of electronic and electrical waste. Refurbished items are then donated to domestic violence refuges and other charities, offering affordable solutions to those in need.

In the previous financial year, eWaste Connection’s dedicated community volunteered an impressive total of 4,914 hours, resulting in the diversion of a remarkable 114,642 kilograms of e-waste from ending up in landfills. Their commitment to sustainability and community service has earned them the prestigious WasteSMART Community Award in 2020 and the WasteSMART Business Award in 2022.

Recognizing Waste Reduction Champions

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner highlighted the importance of such initiatives.

“Brisbane is recognised as Australia’s cleanest and greenest capital city, and I want to make sure it gets even better for future generations,” he said.

The WasteSMART People’s Choice Award is a commendable initiative by the Brisbane City Council to acknowledge the relentless efforts of individuals, community groups, and businesses committed to waste reduction and sustainability. This accolade not only serves as recognition but also provides a platform for these unsung heroes to inspire others.

Among this year’s finalists are not just eWaste Connection but also charity and not-for-profit groups tirelessly working to divert various types of waste from landfills, including food, clothing, textiles, and medical waste. Furthermore, innovative businesses have been nominated for utilising practices such as worm farms, establishing their produce gardens, and creating dedicated in-house sustainability teams.

This initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Brisbane City Council to foster sustainability and environmental consciousness within the community. Measures like food waste recycling trials, compost and worm farm rebates, and affordable green waste disposal options are already in place to support these objectives.

The WasteSMART Awards are administered by the Brisbane Sustainability Agency on behalf of the Brisbane City Council and are proudly sponsored by Containers for Change Queensland, Cleanaway, and The University of Queensland.

The much-anticipated award ceremony will be held at Brisbane City Hall in November to announce the winners across 12 WasteSMART Award categories, which boast a combined prize pool exceeding $4,000.

For further information on the awards and to cast your vote, please visit the official WasteSMART Awards website: www.wastesmartawards.com.au.

Published 26-Oct-2023