e-Waste

eWaste

What is e-Waste ?

e-Waste is electronic waste, or any item with a plug, battery or power cord that is no longer working or wanted. It covers a whole range of items from phones and refrigerators to fluorescent light tubes. 

e-Waste is growing three times faster than the rate of standard municipal waste. It contains many potentially hazardous and valuable materials, which don‘t belong in landfill.

e-Waste is not accepted in the kerbside bin collections. There are two problems with sending e-Waste to landfill, including:

  • hazardous materials, which can cause harm to the environment and human health (including fires in kerbside bins)
  • valuable materials, which can be reused

e-Waste ban

To help protect our environment and recover more precious resources, the Victorian Government has banned all e-Waste from going to landfill. That means, e-Waste can’t go in any bin.

Watch this short on why you should take your e-Waste to a better place or visit the Sustainability Victoria's website for more information.

 

To dispose of e-Waste correctly, please take these items to your local resource recovery centre (see our resource recovery centre locations & hours page.)

Examples of e-Waste include:

  • Household items
    Fridges, microwaves, irons, kettles, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, electric fans
  • TV and telecommunications equipment
    Computers, tablets and accessories, printers, mobile phones and televisions
  • Electrical items       
    Power tools, leaf blowers, electronic lawnmowers and sewing machines
  • Toys, leisure and sporting equipment
    Handheld video games and consoles, musical equipment, radios, remote control toys and any toys that take batteries.
  • Lighting
    LEDs, fluorescent lamps and light globes
  • Batteries, cords and cables
    Visit b-cycle for more information on locations where batteries can be recycled

You can also recycle:

  • mobile phones and accessories at all Council customer service centres, Australia Post outlets, Mobilemuster and the Telstra Store in Echuca.
  • household batteries at Aldi in Echuca as part of the Planet Ark Battery Recycling Initiative, or one of Council's eight resource recovery centres.
  • printer cartridges at participating retail outlets. Visit the PlanetArk website for an outlet near you.

What happens to the e-Waste ?

e-Waste is collected, transported to an e-Waste recycling facility in Melbourne who employ people with disabilities. The items are taken apart so that hazardous materials can be removed and valuable components can be retrieved and reused.

For more information about e-Waste items, the ban and where e-Waste can be recycled, visit the Sustainability Victoria's website for more information or contact Council.