Many Australians are buying more and more electrical products which often have quite a short lifespan in our homes. The waste that these products create when they are no longer wanted is called e-waste.
E-waste is now the fastest growing area of waste in Australia. If we send e-waste to landfill, we waste valuable resources that can be recycled from electronic equipment. We also put the environment at risk because toxic elements in e‑waste such as mercury and lead can leak into the soil and groundwater and enter our food chains if not disposed of in an appropriate way.
Before you buy another electronic product, think about whether you really need it, whether it can be upgraded, re-used or recycled, and if not, how to dispose of it properly.
Reduce
Rethinking what you buy, refusing to buy into the latest fad and reducing your consumption can have a big effect on your e-waste footprint, as well as your home entertainment and home office expenses.
- Resist always buying the latest technology or gadgets and focus on the features you regularly use and need. Remember, the latest technology will be out of date soon too.
- Choose long-lasting, durable products over disposable ones.
- Upgrade rather than replace. For example you can have your computer’s memory increased and purchase new software. This can also save you money.
- Repair rather than buy something new.
Re-use
When you really need something new, think about who could benefit and re-use your old technology and appliances.
- Give your old technology and appliances to someone who needs it. Check with your friends, family, your local school and charitable organisations.
- Find an organisation that accepts unwanted computer equipment and refurbishes it for use by schools and charities. Ask how old computers that can’t be reused will be disposed of. If they’ll go to landfill, try another organisation.
- Purchase a set-top box rather than paying the price for a new digital television.
- Gift your old technology to a stranger. There are not-for-profit websites that allow you to 'freecycle'. You can let people know what you no longer need and what condition it’s in.
- Sell appliances through garage sales or at second-hand outlets.
- Refill ink cartridges and recharge alkaline batteries rather than throw them away.
Recycle
Computers, televisions and other technology are made up of many recyclable components. When you recycle, you stop solid and hazardous waste going to landfill, save resources which can be used to manufacture new products, and reduce the use of raw materials.
- Some companies dismantle computers and recycle the various parts. Prior to recycling you can perform a low level format to be certain your sensitive data is not going to be retrievable by anyone else. Check with your PC manufacturer for free tools to do this. Go to Planet Ark to check collections in your area.
- Mobile phones are also recyclable. Old phones are dismantled into useful components such as batteries, circuit boards, handsets and accessories. Go to Mobilemuster for your local drop-off point.
- Contact your local council to find out what e-waste recycling services they offer for larger electronic and electrical products.
- Look out for electronic manufacturers and corporations who offer low-cost or no-cost ‘take-back’ and recycling programs. Such programs offer services to take back and recycle electronics including mobile phones, laptop and desktop computers, digital cameras, and home and auto electronics. Options can include returning the items to the place of purchase, dropping them off at a collection point, or sending them by mail back to the manufacturer.
