Prisoners tackle e-waste and gain skills for jobs

THOUSANDS of televisions and computers are being diverted from landfill because of a successful program at the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre.

The six-month-old prison has numerous green projects in place.

It boasts a refuse-sorting centre where prisoners recycle cardboard, paper and plastic, while compostable waste from the prison is sent to a Lockyer Valley worm farm.

Brisbane-based e-waste recycler Buyequip has now teamed up with the prison.

Buyequip's Brett Hyde said e-waste such as old televisions and computers were a huge problem.

"By partnering with the prison, we are working on the e-waste problem and at the same time, we are giving prisoners skills for jobs," Mr Hyde said.

Prison director Jeff Ticehurst said the program gave prisoners self-confidence and prepared them for a working life when released.

The partnership is only a few months old but already has diverted 23 tonnes of e-waste from landfill.