Later today the Environment Protection and Heritage Council will meet with Australia's environment ministers to discuss the failure of computer manufacturers to adopt take-back schemes for recycling.

TEC campaigner Jane Castle said toxic e-waste is being dumped on future generations by the governments failure to act. "Industry has failed to act and we're bringing the problem to the attention of governments: millions of computers are sent to landfill each year in Australia and they all contain hazardous substances and valuable, non-renewable resources," she said.

"The time for toxic business is over."

TEC has called on state and federal governments to urgently act adding that the NSW Government should make use of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act.

"Computer manufacturers have failed in the last five years to develop a viable voluntary scheme," Castle said.