Camera recycling a winner for Greensborough Photo & Video

Greensborough Photo & Video managing director Peter de Janko is urging fellow photo retailers to join CameraRecycle Australia, a newly established recycling program for old, unwanted and broken cameras and accessories.

Greensborough Photo & Video (in Melbourne’s north-east) is one of the first photographic specialty stores to sign up to the “voluntary eco-friendly recycling initiative”, which will be officially launched at the PMA Digital Life Expo in Melbourne in June.

De Janko contacted PIN Online to say that he had received “an absolutely overwhelming response” from the local community.

"As well, we have people travelling more than one hour to drop off their unwanted cameras and not just throw them in the rubbish bin,” he said.

De Janko has advertised the service in the local newspaper and various local council newsletters.

Consumers simply deposit photographic items to be recycled in a specially-marked box which is returned to CameraRecycle Australia for recycling. 

"As a retail store we wanted to do something positive in our community and for the environment, especially as consumers adopt new technologies.

"The CameraRecycle Australia initiative allows us to prevent cameras, batteries and accessories ending up in landfill where they can cause pollution by slowly breaking down and leaking chemicals into the surrounding soil.  By recycling them, you protect the environment and assist manage the environmental impacts in a socially responsible manner,” de Janko said.

According to information provided to Greensborough Photo & Video by CameraRycling Australia:
• Camera sales in Australia (excluding 35mm disposable types) exceeded three million in 2009

.• Over 10 million digital cameras have been purchased by consumers in Australia in the last five years.

• It is estimated Australians upgrade or exchange their camera approximately every 24 to 36 months.

• Most households have at least one old camera at home and many have two or more unused cameras stashed away in drawers at home and work.

CameraRecycle Australia is a voluntary recycling initiative established by Nittram Photographic Services, an exhibitor at PMA Digital Life Expo. 

For further information on CameraRecycle Australia contact Nittram managing director Tim Gledhill on 1300 Ozcycle (1300 69 29 25); Email: admin@camerarecycle.com.au; Web: www.camerarecycle.com.au