Looking to recycle materials other than e-waste? Find out how by visiting Recycle Mate or Planet Ark RecyclingNearYou.
Some products we use regularly like mobile phones, computers and TVs can also be recycled as they are made from valuable materials that can be used to make new products. Recycling can also keep hazardous chemicals out of the environment.
When we no longer need them, we call them e-waste.
In 2011 the Australian government established the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) which enables us to recycle our e-waste for free. This is a different recycling system to the kerb side one we use for other household items like paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium cans and some plastic products.
Where can I recycle my TVs and computers?
There are a number of different types of recycling and collection services available, depending on where you live.
These include:
- permanent collection sites at local waste transfer stations or resource recovery centres
- retail outlets
- one off recycling collection events - often run by local Councils
Services that are part of the NTCRS are free for households and small businesses, however charges may apply for larger businesses.
Not all drop-off points in Australia are part of the NTCRS, so fees may be charged at some locations. Contact the providers below or your local council for details.
The Australian Government funded the development of Recycle Mate back in 2020 to provide access to a comprehensive, easy-to-use and up-to-date database of all disposal avenues – via kerbside collection and alternative drop-off for e-waste and batteries. Find it at Recycle Mate.
Planet Ark also maintains a database of television and computer drop-off points on its website: RecyclingNearYou.
The following organisations are approved to provide recycling services under the NTCRS. For more information, including details of the collection services and drop-off points they provide, visit their websites:
What TV and computer products are covered under the NTCRS?
The following items can be recycled under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
| Product | Product type |
|---|---|
| Televisions | Colour televisions |
| Black and white televisions | |
| Computers | Laptops, notebooks, palmtops and tablets |
| Personal computers | |
| Central processing units for personal computers | |
| Monitors and projectors, including cathode-ray tube and flat screen monitors | |
| Printers | Multi-function printers with print, copy and fax transmission |
| Single-function printers | |
| Computer parts and peripherals | Keyboards |
| Joysticks and game pads | |
| Mouses and trackballs | |
| Scanners | |
| Compact disc drives, including burners | |
| Digital video disc drives, including burners | |
| Hard drives | |
| Memory cards, including network, sound, video, IDE, SCSI and similar | |
| Motherboards | |
| Electrical transformers and static converters | |
| Web cameras |
Check recycling drop-off point providers to confirm what’s accepted in each location. Drop-off points may also accept other e-waste such as mobile phones, batteries and electronics.
Where can I recycle mobile phones?
MobileMuster is a government-accredited organisation that recycles mobile phones and accessories.
Visit MobileMuster to find out about their collection services and drop-off points.
Where can I recycle other products?
Visit the Recycle Mate program or Planet Ark RecyclingNearYou website to tell you where you can recycle a range of other products such as printer cartridges, batteries, light globes, paint, whitegoods and plastic.
Read more
- E-waste and households and small business
- About the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme
- B-Cycle
- MobileMuster
Contact us
Email ewaste@nationalepa.gov.au.