Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has called for a state wide ban on e-waste in landfill, using the story of a local entrepreneur to highlight the need for reform in New South Wales.

Speaking in NSW Parliament, Mr Ward praised Wade Cawley, a former Shoalhaven Young Citizen of the Year and founder of Rekindle Me, a successful e-waste recycling business. He described Mr Cawley as an inspiration and a driving force behind his push for legislative change.

“Wade is an example of a young person running a small business while making a positive impact on both the environment and the disability community,” Mr Ward said.

However, Mr Ward noted that Rekindle Me was at risk of closure when Mr Cawley’s van required a new electric battery - an expense he could not afford. The local community stepped in with financial support, allowing Mr Cawley to continue operating his business.

Mr Ward used Mr Cawley’s experience to highlight a broader issue, pointing out that NSW lags behind other states in banning e-waste from landfill.

“Unlike other states, NSW does not prohibit e-waste in landfill,” he said. “This week, I shared Wade’s story in Parliament to advocate for a ban and to ensure these valuable materials are properly recycled.”

He underscored the urgency of the issue, citing statistics that show e-waste is being generated five times faster than it can be recycled globally.

“In Australia, only 22 per cent of e-waste was collected and recycled in 2022. Yet, Australians generate around 20 kilograms of e-waste per capita - more than double the global average,” he said. “In 2022 alone, $62 billion worth of recoverable resources were buried as e-waste worldwide.”

Mr Ward said he had recently visited several e-waste recycling businesses and believes NSW has the capability to process these materials sustainably.

“We have the capacity to turn finite resources into infinite ones, and I look forward to continuing to push for reform in Parliament,” he said.