Recycling E-Waste

Electronic or 'e-waste' is the waste associated with the use and disposal of electronic equipment such as computers, televisions and printers.

Electronic or E-waste is a growing concern as we see a rapid uptake and turnover of electronic products. Computers and other electronic equipment are made from hundreds of different materials - many of which are inherently valuable, such as gold and platinum, and many are non-renewable. If these items can be extracted, they can be reused in manufacture again.

Heavy metals including lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic are also used in electronic equipment. When disposed of they can leach from landfill sites into the water table. Ensuring that these items are disposed of correctly and the relevant components extracted for recycling is essential if we want to create a cleaner, safer and sustainable environment for future generations.

National Television and Computer Product Stewardship Scheme

There are currently no electronic waste recyclers in the Frankston municipality, however this will hopefully change as the National Television and Computer Product Stewardship Scheme is rolled out over the next few years. Under this scheme, free collection points for used TVs and computers will be set up around the country. Consumers of TVs and computers will be responsible for ensuring that their end of life TVs and computers are left at a designated collection point to be recycled. There will be no charge to drop off an item, however consumers may be charged a small fee when they purchase a new computer or TV to cover the future cost of collection and recycling. The arrangements for the collection and recycling of end of life TVs and computers will be managed by the TV and computer industry. The scheme will be supported by legislation that will ensure all manufacturers and importers of TVs and computers take responsibility for their products.

For more information, please visit:

• Planet Ark websiteDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities website
• Recycling Near You website
• Business Recycling website

Other options for electronic waste recycling:

Annual Hard Waste Collections

You can now put electronic waste out for recycling through the free annual hard waste collection - usually in October/November each year (you will be notified by a flyer in your letterbox re the exact dates). You can also order a subsidised at-call collection ($50 for up to 2 cubic metres) throughout the year. Electronic waste collected through this service will also be recycled.

Electronic waste collection weekends

In addition to this, Council will hold at least one electronic waste collection weekend at the Operations Centre in Seaford each year. Residents will be advised of collection dates via Council's website and the local paper.

Byteback

Byteback is a free computer take-back program to help people dispose of end-of-life equipment, or equipment that has reached the end of its useful life responsibly.  For more information visit the Byteback Web site.

Officeworks Dandenong - Byteback scheme
Phone: 03 9793 5888
Drop Off Address: 26-36 Princess Hwy, Dandenong
Details: Limit 20 items. Desktops, laptops, computer mice, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards computer power supplies, printed circuit boards, motherboards, network and memory cards, disk and CD drives.

Alternatively, visit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au or www.businessrecycling.com.au to find other electronic waste recyclers in Victoria.

Please note: Beyond Waste Recycling, formerly located at Seaford, has now closed down.

Local waste recyclers near Frankston City