Electronic waste

What is electronic waste?

E-waste refers to any item with a plug, battery or cord that is no longer working or wanted. It covers a whole range of items from work, home and even the garden shed such as:

• computers, laptops and tablets
• mobile phones
• television
• DVD player
• kitchen and laundry appliances
• hard drives
• cameras
• printers
• power tools

Why should I recycle electronic waste?

Electronic waste is growing around three times faster than general waste, with Australians throwing away more than 100,000 tonnes a year.

All electronic waste contains hazardous materials which can contaminate soil and groundwater. They also contain precious metals and components that can be recycled.

Under new Victorian Government laws, electronic waste is banned from landfills as of July 2019.

How do I recycle electronic waste?

We have collection stations at Carnegie, Elsternwick, and Caulfield Libraries and Moorleigh Community Village for smaller e-waste (Bentleigh Library collections are currently on hold - please use a different facility). They accept:

• phones and cameras, and their cords and accessories
• x-rays
• batteries
• CDs and floppy disks
• videos, cassettes, cases
• fluorescent tubes
• light globes

For larger Electronic waste or appliances that are not suitable in our e-waste library hubs, such as DVD players, microwaves, kitchenware and small whitegoods, office ware such as printers etc, visit your nearest transfer station for a free drop-off.

We encourage residents to donate any items in workable condition directly to charities, and have items repaired wherever possible before discarding.

Items we cannot collect include:

• car parts, batteries or tyres (dispose of at a transfer station)
• smoke alarms (dispose of in your rubbish bin once the batteries have been removed – batteries can be dropped off at a library recycling station)
• air conditioners (dispose of at a transfer station)
• halogen lights (dispose of at a transfer station)
• x-ray equipment
• hazardous materials and medical equipment (check Detox your Home for disposal options)

Here are some other ways to recycle your electronic waste:

• Televisions and computers: National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme
• Donate Direct (if in working order)
• Mobile phones: Mobile Muster or PhoneCycle
• Batteries: BatteryBack
• Printer cartridges: Cartridges for Planet Ark

You can book a hard rubbish collection for whitegoods and larger home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines or ovens. Book a hard rubbish collection online or contact our Customer Service Centre to arrange 03 9524 3333.