Everything you need to know about recycling electrical products and electronics
Australians are some of the biggest consumers of electrical goods in the world. The average Australian produces about 20kg of e-waste per year, compared to the global average of 7kg. Only some of the e-waste is recycled and turned into new products, but it doesn't have to be this way! Explore the many recycling options for various types of electrical products so we can keep these valuable materials in use for as long as possible.
What is e-waste?
E-waste is a broad term used for any kind of electronic or electrical product that has a plug or battery that has come to its ‘end of life’. It includes everything from TVs, computers and mobile phones to batteries and kitchen appliances.
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 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 from being made with new or ‘virgin’ materials.
Recycling your old electronics and electrical products keeps materials in use in the circular economy and out of landfills.
E-waste recycling schemes
Electronics and electrical products can contain both valuable and hazardous materials. It is therefore important they are handled, recycled, and disposed of in a regulated and responsible manner.
‘Product Stewardship Schemes’ work to minimise the health and environmental impact of a product over its entire lifecycle – from design, production, distribution, sale and use to disposal, recovery, reuse and recycling.
Australians can use the following schemes to recycle electronics and electrical products:
•The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme was introduced in 2011 by the Australian Government. It is a national, industry-funded recycling scheme that provides communities around the country with free access to recycling drop-off points for old TVs, computers and computer accessories.
•MobileMuster is the official recycling program of the mobile telecommunications industry. It is a not-for-profit program that provides all Australians with free access to mobile phone recycling. MobileMuster is funded voluntarily by major handset manufacturers and network carriers and is accredited by the federal government.
•Cartridges 4 Planet Ark is a voluntary, industry funded Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program that has recycled millions of printer cartridges and toners. All Australians, including businesses, can recycle their cartridges through the program for free.
•B-cycle is Australia's official battery stewardship scheme, providing Australians with free recycling drop-off points for a range of household batteries.
Recycling other types of e-waste
Unfortunately, Australia does not have a recycling scheme in place for products like electrical appliances and whitegoods. However, that does not mean they can’t be recycled. Many commercial recyclers will accept these products so they can salvage the valuable materials inside like precious metals.
•Electrical appliances such as DVD players, alarm clocks, cameras, toasters and radios can be recycled to salvage materials like glass, plastics and metals.
•Whitegoods such as fridges, freezers, dishwashers, air conditioners and washing machines can all be recycled.
How is e-waste recycled?
Electronics collected for recycling are generally manually disassembled and assorted into various components. These individual materials such as cabling, circuit boards, glass, metals, and plastics are then processed so they can be used in the production of new products.
•Computers and accessories can often be refurbished and made available to communities in need. If this is not an option, individual materials such as cabling, glass, circuit boards, and plastics are recycled.
•Mobile phones, routers, modems and other smart devices are disassembled into component parts, which are then transported to local and overseas recyclers for processing. Materials recovered are used in the manufacture of a range of products, including new mobile phones and their batteries, glass bottles, and other electronics.
•Whitegoods such as fridges and washing machines contain hazardous materials that are safely removed so the rest of the product can be crushed and shredded for recycling.
•Electrical appliances such as DVD players, alarm clocks, cameras, toasters and radios can often be repaired, which keeps the materials in use at their highest value for longer. When they are recycled, many of the materials including glass, copper, plastics, metals and precious metals are recovered for further processing to be used in the manufacture of new products.
•Printer cartridges contain leftover ink as well as plastic. When collected for recycling, the toner is used as an additive to road surfaces and the ink is reused as 100% recycled artists’ ink. The plastics are shredded and made into various products like outdoor furniture, play equipment and pens.
•Batteries contain materials like lead, cadmium, mercury, lithium, manganese, nickel and zinc which can be recovered and used again to make new batteries. These materials are very valuable because they are all 'non-renewable', which means there is a finite amount of these resources on our planet. They can also be recycled an infinite number of times!
How to delete data
A common concern about recycling old electronics is a fear of data on devices being accessed. It is advised to wipe the data from your mobile or computer before handing it over for recycling. However, if you are not able to, the data will be destroyed in the dismantling and recycling process.
Data management tips:
· MobileMuster has some great data management tips for removing data from mobile phones.
· TechCollect also has useful information on deleting data from computers and other devices.
Image credit: MobileMuster
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.
