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Everything you need to know about recycling computers
WARNING! Electronic products can contain toxic materials that are hazardous to human health and the environment. They should never be put in your recycling or garbage bin.
Computers includes:
Chromebook
Keyboards
Laptops
Monitors
Printers
Scanners
Webcams
Motherboards
Video cards
Computer mouse
Computer mice
Memory cards
Hard drives
FIND A RECYCLER
Learn more about reusing and recycling computers
How to recycle computers
Computers and computer accessories should never be put in your household recycling bin. They can be dropped off for recycling at designated collection points located around Australia.
National recycling scheme
Australians around the country have free access to the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. Use the directory on this page to find a drop-off point near you.
The scheme accepts computer monitors, laptops, keyboards, computer mice, printers, scanners, webcams, computer cables, chargers, hard drives and motherboards. Some recyclers will also accept modems and routers (check directly before dropping it off).
The Australian Government created the scheme to help deal with the huge amount of electrical waste Australians generate each year. Every company that makes and/or imports computers into Australia is required to pay for the end-of-life recycling of these products. That means, you can drop off your old computer for recycling for free.
Why recycle?
Every year Australians purchase millions of computers and related components to replace older equipment. If the older models are sent to landfill, the materials used to make the products are wasted. Many of these materials like tin, nickel, zinc, and copper are non-renewable, finite resources, making them even more important to recover.
Some states such as the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria have banned electronic products from landfill.
Recycling your old or broken computer keeps these valuable materials in use for as long as possible, reducing the need to extract new or ‘virgin’ materials from the ground.
It also protects our environment from the hazardous materials found in computers that must be disposed of responsibly. When dumped in landfill, the materials and chemical components used to make computer equipment such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic can leach into the soil and groundwater, causing harm to our environment and human health.
What happens to it?
Computers and computer accessories that are in working order can often be refurbished with new software and some replacement parts. These repackaged computers are generally made available to low-income communities, individuals, and community organisations.
Electronic products that are collected for recycling generally undergo a manual dismantling process. The individual materials such as printed circuit boards, cables, glass and plastics are recovered and then processed so they can be used as raw materials to produce new products.
Donating computers for reuse
If your workplace has computers in good working condition that are no longer needed, consider donating them to a charity that shares them with communities in need. This will ensure the computers are reused, which is a better environmental outcome than recycling as it keeps the materials in use at their highest value for as long as possible.
Here are some charities that accept computer donations:
The Asylum Seeker Centre
The Asylum Seeker Centre in Sydney accepts some kinds of electronic equipment and computer accessories, as long as they are in good working condition. Donations will assist a person seeking asylum to study, look for work, contact family and deal with government agencies and organisations.
The Reconnect Project
The Reconnect Project in Western Sydney is a social enterprise that repairs and refurbishes donated electronic items to be shared with women’s refuges, homelessness agencies, refugee and asylum seeker support services and youth outreach programs. They accept all makes and models of mobile phones and tablets (regardless of their age or condition) and laptops that are less than 10 years old. Items can be mailed in or dropped off at one of their collection sites. They also offer a pick-up service in the Sydney metro area for businesses and workplaces with large quantities.
The St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies)
Vinnies in Victoria has launched a volunteer-run program called Green Sparks to give quality electrical goods a second life. Victorians wanting to donate functioning computers can take them to a participating Vinnies during opening hours where they will be tested by trained staff.
E-waste bans
Some states such as South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia have banned electronic products from landfill. If you live in a state with an e-waste to landfill ban, you must dispose of your electronic waste responsibly by finding a recycling or safe disposal service. Use the directory on this page to find a recycler near you. If you are unable to find a recycler, contact your local council for assistance.
Recycling computers at work
Small businesses that have a small quantity of computers and accessories to dispose of (generally under three items) can use the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. Use the directory on this page to find a drop-off point near you.
If your business or workplace has large quantities of computers and accessories to dispose of, there are many recycling companies that offer national collection services. Visit the computers page for workplaces to find a recycler.
Recycling other e-waste
Batteries
Batteries can be recycled for free through Australia’s national product stewardship scheme for batteries, B-cycle.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones can be recycled for free through MobileMuster’s recycling program.
Printer cartridges
Printer and toner cartridges can be recycled for free through the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark recycling program.
Televisions
Televisions can be recycled for free through the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in computers?
Computers contain many valuable materials, including metals, glass, fibreglass, batteries, and plastics. If they’re not disposed of correctly, computers can leak hazardous chemicals into landfills and the environment.
Fortunately, many of the materials within a computer can be recovered to be reused or recycled. Therefore, it’s important to always recycle your computers and accessories – use the search bar on this page to locate a recycler near you.
Where can I recycle a computer mouse?
You can recycle a computer mouse by dropping it off at a designated recycling point. Computers and computer accessories should never be put in your recycling bin at home.
Australia has a national recycling scheme for computers, computer accessories, and TVs. That means you can drop off your old or used electronics for free at one of the many collection points located around Australia. Use the directory on this page to find a drop-off point near you.
Can computers be recycled?
Computers and computer accessories should never be put in your recycling bin at home. They can, however, be recycled by dropping them off at designated recycling collection points located around Australia. Use the directory on this page to find a location near you.
Can you recycle computer cables?
You can recycle a computer cables by dropping them off at a designated recycling point. Computers and computer accessories should never be put in your recycling bin at home.
Australia has a national recycling scheme for computers, computer accessories, and TVs. That means you can drop off your old or used electronics for free at one of the many collection points located around Australia. Use the directory on this page to find a drop-off point near you.
How to recycle computer parts?
You can recycle a computer parts by dropping them off at a designated recycling point. Computers, including their parts and accessories, should never be put in your recycling bin at home.
Australia has a national recycling scheme for computers, computer accessories, and TVs. That means you can drop off your old or used electronics for free at one of the many collection points located around Australia. Use the directory on this page to find a drop-off point near you.
How to recycle computer batteries
You can recycle a computer batteries by dropping them off at a designated recycling point. Computers and computer accessories should never be put in your recycling or garbage bin at home. Batteries are hazardous waste items that can cause fires. They must be disposed of responsibly by dropping them off at a recycling point.
Australia has a national recycling scheme for computers (including their batteries), computer accessories, and TVs. That means you can drop off your old or used electronics for free at one of the many collection points located around Australia. Use the directory on this page to find a drop-off point near you.
How to clear computers before recycling
Before recycling your computer, remember to remove all personal data, including documents, files, and photos. For guidance on how to remove data from electronics before dropping them off for recycling, visit TechCollect.
Can computer chips be recycled?
Yes – computer chips and other circuit board components can be recycled via specialist programs. The metal components can be recovered and recycled. Use the search bar on this page to locate a recycler near you.
How much of a computer can be recycled?
The vast majority of materials in computers can be recycled. According to Ecycle Solutions, who have public collection points across Australia as part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, collected items are recycled into “greater than 90% reuseable materials, which are subsequently utilised to manufacture new products and finished goods."
Many of the materials within a computer can be reused or recycled including metals, glass, fibreglass, batteries, and plastics. Therefore, be sure to recycle your computers and accessories – use the search bar on this page to find your nearest recyclers.
What happens to computers when they are recycled?
Computers and computer accessories that are in working order can often be refurbished with new software and some replacement parts. These repackaged computers are generally made available to low-income communities, individuals, and community organisations.
Electronic products that are collected for recycling generally undergo a manual dismantling process. The individual materials such as printed circuit boards, cables, glass, and plastics are recovered and then processed so they can be used as raw materials to make new products.
