E-waste Recycling

Australia is one of the world’s top ten consumers of electronic goods, buying more than 4 million computers and 3 million televisions every year.
Our reliance on electronic devices is rapidly increasing, making e-waste one of the fastest growing contributors to our waste stream.
Facts about E-waste

98

%

of the components in your computer or television can be fully recycled
140,000+
tonnes
of electronic waste generated by Australians every year

23,000
tonnes
of CO2 emissions would be saved if half of the televisions discarded annually were recycled 
Definition

What is E-waste?

E-waste is made up of discarded electronics and electrical components. These items can be environmentally harmful if disposed of in landfill as they contain toxic and hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated fire retardants.

 

If disposed of correctly, the recyclable components can be recovered for reuse and hazardous materials can be treated appropriately.

 

A national collection and recycling scheme for televisions, computers and computer products is currently in effect under the Product Stewardship Legislation.

What goes in the E-waste bin?

ACCEPTED

  • All televisions
  • TV remove controls
  • Computer monitors
  • Laptops, iPads and similar tablets
  • Speakers, headphones

NON-ACCEPTED
  • Mobile phones
  • DVD players
  • Game consoles (Xbox/Playstation)
  • Video recorders/DVD players
  • Radios/stereos
  • Power tools
  • Digital set top boxes

Acceptance criteria varies across States and Territories.

 

  • Cables & IT accessories
  • Keyboards, computer mice, joysticks
  • Printers, scanners & web cameras
  • Motherboards



 

  • Appliances e.g. microwaves, fridges
  • Plastic, metal & glass
  • Liquids
  • Chemicals
  • Food & Garden organics
  • Products exposed to radiation & chemical hazards

Bin and container options

Where does E-waste go?

SUEZ E-waste recycling bins
E-waste gets put in bins or containers with a grey lid or signage.
Process

How to recycle E-waste

E-waste is collected from businesses and public drop-offs and sent to a recycling facility.

 

The collected e-waste items are manually sorted, dismantled and categorized into core materials and components which go through specific recycling and recovery processes.

 

What happens to e-waste?

Read also