Top five tips for e-waste spring cleaning

TechCollect, the not-for-profit national electronic waste (e-waste) recycling service, is asking Australians to think beyond clothes and old papers when it comes to spring cleaning this year, extending the clean-up to old technology lying around the home.

“We need to raise awareness in the community about how computers and TVs contain valuable resources, such as glass, plastic and metals, which can be re-used in new products,” said TechCollect CEO Carmel Dollisson. “If we throw out our unwanted technology, these resources are lost forever. There’s also the possibility that they may contain materials which are hazardous to the environment when disposed of inappropriately.”

Australians are buying more than four million computers and three million televisions every year; by 2027, the cumulative volume of these products at the end of their life cycle is expected to reach 181,000 tonnes. The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS), under which TechCollect operates, is currently only collecting about 35% of Australia’s e-waste - with the aim of collecting 80% by 2022.

“Australia is leading on the global scale when it comes to technology consumption and at TechCollect we’re encouraging the community to come together to take greater responsibility for our technology purchases at end of life, while offering a viable solution for their free, easy and safe disposal,” said Dollisson.

With e-waste growing at three times the rate of general waste, TechCollect has released its top five tips for e-waste spring cleaning:

1. Get the e-waste 101. E-waste - what is it exactly? Familiarise yourself with what can be recycled in your home before rushing into a spring clean-up.
2. Make a checklist. Visit techcollect.com.au to find out exactly what e-waste can be recycled for you. Write down every room in the house and identify what you can bring in and drop off at your nearest TechCollect service from each room. Old computers, tablets, printers, laptops and TVs can be recycled.
3. Be in the know. As well as visiting the website, you can contact your local council and educate yourself about community e-waste initiatives or find out where your nearest e-waste collection point is. Pop a date in the calendar and commit an afternoon to helping the environment.
4. Safety first. Remember to always permanently erase personal data from any computer, tablet or laptop you plan to recycle. For more information on how to do this, contact the manufacturer of your device or search online for data wiping services.
5. Get good karma. Encourage your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to get involved to recycle their e-waste too. Karma will be on your side.