Electronic waste or e-waste, which includes computers and accessories, is a growing problem in Australia and a national waste priority. Australians are some of the highest users of new technology in the world, purchasing over 2.4 million computers every year. Unfortunately, as technology changes many of these end up in landfill where toxic materials such as mercury, lead, beryllium and cadmium can leach into the environment.
Computers present a good case for recycling because of their large volumes, high toxicity and good resource recovery potential of non-renewable resources like tin, nickel, zinc and copper. Additionally, increasing community concern has led to the banning of e-waste, including computers, from landfill in some council areas.
Australia will soon have a national recycling scheme for computers. To find out what the program will look like, how it's going to work and when it will start, check out our quick guide here.
However, there are already a number of organisations and programs that recycle, refurbish and reuse computers and accessories in Australia.
Council services for Computers
Wollongong City Council has listed the following locations where you can recycle your computers.
- Wollongong City Council - Kerbside Recycling Collection
- Drop off Facility - Bulk Facility Whytes Gully
- Drop off Facility - Whytes Gully Waste Disposal Depot
- Drop off Facility - Helensburgh Waste Disposal Depot
- Drop off Facility - Mission Australia - Big Heart Enterprise
Drop off locations for Computers & Accessories
18 drop off businesses match on Computers & Accessories within approx 60km of Wollongong NSW
Click the link for business details and map
| Business Name | Address | Suburb | State | Postcode | Distance (Km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre | 142 Addison Road | Marrickville | NSW | 2204 | |
| Renewable Recyclers | 5/13 Ralph Black Drive | North Wollongong | NSW | 2500 | |
| SITA Australia | 20 Davis Road | Wetherill Park | NSW | 2164 | |
| Church Organisation Initiative | 12 Gregory Street | Yagoona | NSW | 2199 | |
| Wingecarribee Shire Council - Resource Recovery | Berrima Road | Moss Vale | NSW | 2577 | |
| PENTAQ Technology Pty Ltd | Units 7, 3 Kaleski St | Moorebank | NSW | 2170 | |
| ADM | 23 Fairfield st | Fairfield East | NSW | 2165 | |
| Cooke's Metal Recyclers P/L | 82 Asquith Street | Silverwater | NSW | 2128 | |
| Reverse Garbage - Taylor Square | 1 Flinders Street | Darlinghurst | NSW | 2010 | |
| Save Parts - Nature's Mix | Unit 3 / 158 Princes Highway | South Nowra | NSW | 2541 | |
| Pioneer Waste Management Aust. | 2 Bay Road | Taren Point | NSW | 2229 | |
| SITA Australia | Old Hill Link | Auburn | NSW | 2144 | |
| SITA Australia | 15 Muir Road | Chullora | NSW | 2190 | |
| SITA Australia | 5 Lindsay Street | Rockdale | NSW | 2216 | |
| SITA Australia | 275 Richardson Road | Spring Farm | NSW | 2570 | |
| SITA Australia | New Illawarra Road | Lucas Heights | NSW | 2234 | |
| Reverse E-Waste | 23-31 Fairfield Street | Fairfield East | NSW | 2165 | |
| All Sorts Australia | 309 Princes Highway | St Peters | NSW | 2044 |
Pick up locations for Computers & Accessories
14 pick up businesses match your query on Computers & Accessories
Click the link for business details
| Business Name | Details | Picks up | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renewable Recyclers | Minimum quantities apply. | NSW | May apply |
| Thiess Services e-Recycling | Collection Fees may apply. We are able to collect it... | Nationally | May apply |
| Buyequip Pty Ltd | Pick-up service is available when identification is pre... | Nationally | May apply |
| PENTAQ Technology Pty Ltd | Click Business Name for details | Nationally | May apply |
| RecycleCorp Pty Ltd | Bulk qantities, must be within 25km from our location. | NSW (Metro Area Only) | May apply |
| Oz Recycle - Australian Recyclers Community - www.ozrecycle.com | Pick-up is arranged between individual community member... | Nationally | Free |
| ReuseMoose.com | Click Business Name for details | Nationally | Free |
| ADM | Click Business Name for details | NSW | May apply |
| Reverse Garbage - Taylor Square | We use a small fleet to collect industrial discards, ov... | NSW (Metro Area Only) | May apply |
| Tiger Waste Collection | Tiger Waste collects all sizes and types of waste. No j... | NSW | May apply |
| Waste Management Australia | Click Business Name for details | NSW | May apply |
| Save Parts - Nature's Mix | Pickups must be in a clean state, wet items will not be... | NSW (Metro Area Only) | May apply |
| Reverse E-Waste | Commercial - Sydney local - min 1/2 pallet Commercial ... | Nationally | May apply |
| Prempac Recycling Solutions Pty Limited | Product inspection prior to pick up confirmation. free ... | NSW | May apply |
How to recycle Computers at work
There are some recycling companies that offer national collection services for commercial quantities of computers. To find a commercial computer recycling service for your workplace or business, visit BusinessRecycling.com.au.
About Computers in Australia
Every year Australians purchase millions of computers and related components to replace equipment superseded by faster and more powerful technologies. In 2007/08 an estimated 16.8 million computers and televisions reached the end of their useful life in Australia. In 2027/28, this figure is predicted to reach 44 million.
Why recycle Computers?
- Older style cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors contain high levels of toxic materials that need to be disposed of responsibly.
- When disposed to landfill, the materials and chemical components used to make computer equipment such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic can leach into and harm our environment.
What happens when Computers are recycled?
Computers and accessories that are in working order can often be refurbished with new software and some replacement parts. These repackaged computers are generally made available to low-income communities, individuals and community organisations. Electronic waste that is collected for recycling generally undergoes a manual dismantling process. The individual materials such as printed circuit boards, cabling, glass and plastics are recovered and then processed so that they can be used as raw materials to produce new products.
More information
Australia will soon have a national recycling scheme for computers. Find out more here.
Product Stewardship Australia (PSA) is a not-for-profit, industry-led organisation that will help recover and recycle electronic and electrical products in an environmentally sound manner.
