How to Dispose of E-Waste in Adelaide
If you have an old computer, television, printer or other electronic equipment at home or work, you may not be sure how to dispose of it.
Dealing with unwanted electronics in Adelaide can be straightforward. This guide explains what e-waste includes, where you can take it and what to do before disposal. If the equipment contains personal or business information, you will also need to prepare it before disposal. The Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre (AWRC) accepts e-waste from households and businesses.
What Counts as E-Waste?
E-waste is unwanted electrical and electronic equipment. It can include everything from laptops and printers to phones, televisions and other devices.
Common examples include:
- Computers, laptops and monitors
- Televisions
- Printers and scanners
- Phones and tablets
- Audio and entertainment equipment
- Keyboards, mice and other accessories
- Cables, chargers and power supplies
If you have an item you’re unsure about, check whether the service you plan to use accepts it before you make the trip.
Why Electronics Shouldn’t Go in the Bin
Old electronics might seem like ordinary rubbish once they are no longer wanted, but putting them in your general waste bin means useful materials can be lost.
Electronic equipment can contain metals, plastics, glass and other materials that can be recovered through recycling. Some products can also contain components or substances that need to be handled carefully.
South Australia has restrictions on sending certain types of e-waste to landfill. Taking unwanted electronics to a suitable recycling or disposal service helps keep these materials out of the general waste stream.
Find a Suitable Place to Take Your E-Waste
Once you know what you have, the next step is to find somewhere that you can take it.
The Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre (AWRC) in North Plympton accepts e-waste. Our centre also accepts a range of other waste types, so you can bring different materials in the one visit.
There are also dedicated recycling services for particular types of electronics. For example, the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme provides collection and recycling options for televisions, computers and related equipment.
Before you take your e-waste to a facility, check that everything you’re bringing can be accepted. This is particularly important if you have a mixture of electronics and other household or business waste.
For larger commercial loads, it can be worth speaking to a waste provider beforehand.
Protect Your Data Before Recycling
If the equipment contains personal or business information, there are a few extra steps to take before recycling it.
An old laptop, desktop computer or phone may still contain documents, photographs, passwords and account information. Before sending it for recycling, make sure you’ve copied anything you want to keep and removed your information from the device.
For computers, phones and tablets, this may include:
- Backing up important files
- Signing out of accounts
- Removing SIM and memory cards
- Performing a factory reset
- Securely erasing storage where appropriate
Businesses should also follow their own data security procedures when disposing of computers, hard drives and other equipment containing sensitive information.
Check Batteries Before Disposal
Batteries need a little extra attention. Many electronic products contain lithium-ion batteries, including laptops, phones, tablets, power banks and some other portable equipment.
Damaged or incorrectly discarded lithium-ion batteries can create a fire risk, so they should not be placed in household rubbish or recycling bins.
If a battery is swollen, leaking, damaged or unusually hot, don’t put it in with your other waste. Ask a suitable recycling or disposal service how the battery should be dealt with.
What Happens to Recycled Electronics?
Choosing to recycle electronic waste isn’t only about disposing of old equipment – it also gives useful materials a chance to be recovered rather than sending them to landfill.
Once electronic equipment reaches a recycling facility, different materials and components can be separated and processed. Metals such as aluminium and copper, along with plastics and glass, can potentially be recovered and used again.
The next steps depend on the recycling process at the facility. Some items may be dismantled so individual materials or components can be recovered, while others may require more specialised processing.
Make E-Waste Part of Your Waste Plan
For a household, e-waste might be a few old devices that have accumulated over time. For a business, it can build up when equipment is upgraded or replaced.
Planning ahead can make a larger clean-out easier. Keep unwanted electronics together as they are removed from service, rather than mixing them in with general rubbish. Businesses can also consider how often equipment is replaced and whether a collection service would be more practical than arranging individual drop-offs.
Get Help with E-Waste Disposal in Adelaide
The best disposal option depends on what you have and how much you need to dispose of. Keeping electronics separate from general rubbish and taking them to an appropriate recycling service helps ensure they are handled correctly.
If you need e-waste disposal in Adelaide, the AWRC can help with unwanted electronics. We accept e-waste and can discuss options for larger or mixed loads.
Contact the AWRC before bringing a larger load to check what can be accepted and to discuss your requirements.
Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
Our friendly operators are available at the AWRC if you need to clarify any further information.