E-Waste
Have your unwanted electronic items reused or recycled through University collection services.
E-waste, or electronic waste, includes batteries, old mobile phones, computers, speakers, printers and copiers, cables, and other electrically powered devices. These items contain valuable and potentially hazardous materials, which cannot be put in either the landfill or recycling bins.
University IT equipment
Staff can have University IT or electronic equipment collected for reuse and recycling by submitting a Service Now request for e-reuse. All items will be evaluated, with reusable items being allocated a new home elsewhere in the University and all other items being either donated or sustainably recycled.
Staff can have both unwanted but still functioning equipment as well as broken equipment collected through this service. To ensure electronic equipment is used for its maximum possible life cycle, staff should submit a collection request as soon as an item is no longer required.
Protecting your data
During the reuse process, all data will be erased from equipment before being redeployed.
Equipment donations
When items are not deemed to be business grade but still in working condition, they are donated to a University authorised charity, one of which is the Carlton Local Agencies Network (CLAN).
CLAN is a not-for-profit network supported by the University and the City of Melbourne that supports local community groups. More about equipment donations to the community.
The University does not sell or donate computers directly to staff or students.
Personal e-waste
Personal e-waste must be dropped off at a Victorian collection point close to you. E-waste cannot go into landfill nor recycling bins in any local government area in Victoria. This is because e-waste contains potentially dangerous chemicals and valuable materials.
Find you closest e-waste collection point at Sustainability Victoria.
Your department or faculty may offer an e-waste collection on campus. Contact your faculty or school’s administration office to ask if they have a drop-off location.
The fastest growing waste stream
E-waste is growing three times faster than any other waste stream due to higher consumption rates, shorter lifecycles and limited repair options.
Did you know that 88% of computers and TVs purchased in Australia will end up in landfill each year? But 98% of their components can be fully recycled when processed through the correct waste streams. Many of these components are non-renewable materials like precious metals and plastics.
Electronic items also contain potentially dangerous chemicals that can leak into the natural environment, damaging soil and ecosystems. They are responsible for 70% of the toxic chemicals found landfill such as lead, cadmium and mercury.
For more on the problem with e-waste visit Clean Up Australia.
Reducing e-waste
You can help protect our environment and save valuable materials from going to landfill by following these three tips:
- Reduce: Treat your electronic items with care so you can use them for their maximum lifecycle and don’t need to purchase new items as frequently.
- Reuse: Donate your items for reuse when they no longer serve your need.
- Recycle: Responsibly dispose of broken equipment for recycling.