E-waste – or electronic waste – refers to electronic products that are no longer wanted or working, including:

• CD players
• computers
• mobile phones
• monitors
• printers
• televisions
• VCRs

Source: Sustainability Victoria

E-waste contains hazardous materials, which can harm the environment and human health. E-waste is growing three times faster than general municipal waste in Australia, due to increased technology trends, reduced product lifespan and consumer demand for new products. Valuable materials contained in e-waste are lost when appliances, computers and other household electrical goods are sent to landfill.

Recycle your e-waste to:

• reduce landfill
• protect the air and waterways from harmful materials
• minimise consumption of raw materials to produce electronic products
• reduce greenhouse gases created in the production of new materials.

Source : Sustainability Victoria

The way e-waste is processed can vary between recyclers. In general, mercury, plastics, printed circuit boards, ferrous metals and aluminium are separated from e-waste for recycling.