What is e-waste?

E-waste is any unwanted electrical items that have a plug or batteries.

These items include:

• small household appliances (eg toasters and pedestal fans)
• IT and telecommunications equipment (eg mobile phones and computer equipment)
• electrical and electronic tools (eg power tools)
• electrical toys (eg game stations, computer games).

Why is it a problem?

E-waste contains non-renewable resources such as tin, zinc, aluminium, steel and copper. They also contain hazardous heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, nickel and mercury, which if not disposed of appropriately can be toxic to the environment. By sending e-waste to landfill there is a risk of releasing hazardous substances into the environment and the resources they contain will be lost rather than recycled.

Be part of the solution

When electronic equipment becomes obsolete or is no longer wanted, help minimise waste, protect the environment and save precious resources by applying the following tips:

Avoid
Purchase durable and easily repairable electrical and electronic products. Ask the manufacturer or distributor about reuse and recycling options and avoid products that aren’t.

Reduce
Repair broken electrical appliances and equipment where practical instead of purchasing new ones.

Reuse
Think about purchasing second-hand items rather than new. Ensure that the items have been checked by a qualified electrician first.

Recycle
Take your e-waste to a specialised electronics recycler who dismantles the items, sorts like materials and sends them off to be recycled into new products (a small fee may apply).

Recycling of E-waste

We hold intermittent e-waste recycling events for residents to drop off their unwanted electrical items. These events will be advertised in Onkaparinga News our fortnightly column in the Messenger and other local papers, on our website www.onkaparingacity.com and through letterbox drops.

Outside of these special events we do not accept e-waste for recycling.

The Federal Government’s National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme is due to start rolling out in late 2012. We are in discussions with Zero Waste SA to pursue an interim solution for our city.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced that by September 2012 TVs and computers will be banned from being sent to landfill in metropolitan Adelaide. By September 2013 all e-waste will be banned from all South Australian landfills. 

Useful addresses and websites

Advanced Recycling Technologies- (ARTs)
www.advancedrecyclingtechnologies.com.au
Shed 3/13 Chrysler Rd
Lonsdale, SA 5160
Ph: (08) 8186 5883
Mb: 0411 882 138

Open 6 days per week
Monday - Friday 8.30am-4.30pm (by appointment)
Saturday 9am-12pm (no appointment necessary)

Southern Areas Computer Scene
35 Taunton Parade
Christies Beach, SA 5165
Ph: (08) 8382 2285

Open Monday-Friday 8am-5.30pm
Saturday 11am-4pm

Accepts (drop-off only)

• Donations of old, working computers.
• Broken computer equipment and toner cartridges for recycling.

Donates recycled, working computers to disadvantaged children.

Other e-waste recycling services

E-Cycle Recovery
www.ecyclerecovery.com.au  
12-14 Baulderstone Road
Gepps Cross SA 5094
Ph: (08) 8262 4074
info@ecyclerecovery.com.au

Drop off hours
Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm
Saturday 8.30am-2.30pm
Closed Public Holidays

or

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton SA 5037
Ph: (08) 8295 5790