Perth residents will be given the opportunity to safely dispose of computers, TVs, mobiles and other electronic waste as part of a collection drive facilitated by local government.

Supported by the WA Local Government Association (WALGA), the free collection days will be held over the weekend of  June 6, with materials accepted including computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards, electronic games and toys, TVs, DVD players, stereo equipment and digital cameras.

The initiative follows the announcement this week of plans to establish an e-waste recycling scheme through the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC).

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett said that the decision to tackle e-waste was driven by increasing community and industry concern about the lack of progress that had been made in setting up a national recycling scheme.

WALGA President Cr Bill Mitchell revealed councils across WA spend more than $150,000 per year on e-waste recycling, with the value of products recovered not covering the cost of processing them.

“Given the range of toxic metals contained within many electronic goods, it’s critical that these items are diverted from landfill, so we urge residents to check their homes and bring along any relevant items they no longer want,” Cr Mitchell said.

Garrett said the EPHC would conduct a study of the regulatory impacts of an e-waste recycling scheme with results expected to be available for public comment by July.

Cr Mitchell said the decision to set up a national framework was a positive step towards encouraging producer responsibility for the disposal of e-waste.