Did you know that e-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in developed countries? It's all the electronic equipment that's reached the end of its useful life and is headed for disposal. For example, old TVs, computers, cell phones, printers, and even batteries are considered to be e-waste.
What the DCC is doing about it
The DCC is taking action to address the e-waste problem, including advocating to Central Government to make the electronics industry responsible for e-waste with take-back schemes. We also have collection facilities for household e-waste at the Rummage shop at the Green Island Resource Recovery Park. This helps prevent these items from ending up in landfill.
Our Waste Minimisation and Management Plan 2020 sets out the range of ways we can support communities and businesses to maximise the use of products, including e-waste.
Ways to support e-waste recycling and promote producer responsibility
Think about whether you really need to buy a new electronic device, or whether you can get your current one repaired or upgraded. If you do need a new device, ask the supplier if they recycle old ones. By doing this, you can create the demand for recycling through your purchasing decisions and place the responsibility for recycling on the producers.
If your supplier cannot accept old devices for recycling, there are organisations that are known to recycle e-waste ethically.
The TechCollect programme, supported by Noel Leeming stores, accepts a range of e-waste items for free. This includes printers, computers and laptops, tablets and notebooks, cameras and video cameras, but excludes TVs and white goods.
Mobile phones, mobile phone chargers and cables can be recycled through the RE:mobile programme that is available at mobile phone retailers.
Remember that you should clear personal data from devices before dropping them off. For more information about how to do this, visit the TechCollect NZ website.
Household e-waste collection
You can drop off your household computer waste, TVs, mobile phones, and other electronics at the Rummage shop at the Green Island Resource Recovery Park. These will then be collected by Cargill Enterprises. A small charge may apply to cover the costs of dismantling, although the recycling cost is subsidised by Council. You can also take your household e-waste items direct to Cargill Enterprises for a fee.
Household batteries
You can drop off your household batteries, such as alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and lithium (computer, tool batteries) for free at the Rummage shop. Then they will be collected and recycled by Cargill Enterprises. You can also drop off other types of batteries like mercuric oxide, silver oxide, zinc air, zinc chloride, nickel cadmium, nickel lithium, and nickel metal hydride, as long as they are 12 volts or less.