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E-waste is growing three times faster than other types of waste and and the average Australian is generating 23kg of it each per year so we’ve put together a guide and resources on recycling options for e-waste.

The Victorian Government has banned all e-waste from landfill which means e-waste can’t go in any general rubbish or recycling bins.

During our recent Sustainability Workshop at the Danihers Site Leaders Day we learnt about various ways to recycle e-waste including free recycling stations at Officeworks and local waste transfer stations where you can recycle of computers and laptops, monitors, keyboards, printers, mice, hard drives, mobile phones and accessories, cables, chargers, DVDs and CDs. 

What is e-Waste

E-waste is any item with a plug, battery or power cord that’s no longer working or wanted. It covers a whole range of items from phones and refrigerators to fluorescent light tubes. Common e-waste items in facility management can include:

• Electrical and electronic tools, drills, lawn mowers, saws
• IT, telecommunications and TV equipment
• Computers, Laptops, Mobile phones, Printers, Remote controls
• Printer cartridges

E-products is perhaps a better way to refer to them because they are certainly not waste. In fact, they often contain valuable materials like plastic and precious metals including gold, silver, platinum, nickel, zinc, aluminium and copper. These materials can easily be recovered and recycled into something new, which prevents electronics being made from new or ‘virgin’ materials. Recycling your old electronics keeps these materials in use in the circular economy and out of landfills.

Important Preparation Tips for Recycling e-Waste

• Make sure all data is erased prior to disposing of your items
• Keep all your e-waste together so you don’t forget to recycle anything
• Mark a date in your calendar to recycle your e-waste once or twice a year.

Where to dispose of e-Waste

The Australian government has funded a National Television and Recycling Scheme (NTRS) that enables us to recycle our e-waste for free. This is a different recycling system to the kerb side one we use for other household items like paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium cans and some plastic products.

There are a number of different types of recycling and collection services available, depending on where you live.

These include:

• Permanent collection sites at local waste transfer stations or resource recovery centres.
• Retail outlets
• One off recycling collection events – often run by local Councils

Not all drop-off points in Australia are part of the scheme, so fees may be charged at some locations. Contact the providers below or your local council for details.

Online Resources for Recycling e-Waste

• Recycle Mate provides access to a comprehensive, easy-to-use and up-to-date database of all disposal avenues – via kerbside collection and alternative drop-off for e-waste and batteries.
• Planet Ark also maintains a database of television and computer drop-off points on its website: Planet Ark – RecyclingNearYou.
• TechCollect
• E-Cycle Solutions
• Activ Group
• MobileMuster is a government-accredited organisation that recycles mobile phones and accessories. Visit their website to find out about their collection services and drop-off points.
• Visit https://bcycle.com.au/ for information on battery recycling
• Visit your local council and waste transfer website
• Officeworks Stores

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