Australia’s e-waste crisis presents a circular economy opportunity
Australians generate around 22kg of e-waste per capita – more than double the global average. By 2030 our national total e-waste is projected to hit 657,000 tonnes.
While large organisations and industries that depend on refrigeration products, batteries and computers contribute greatly to this mass of e-waste, anyone who uses electronic devices – whether it be a phone, ebike, ipad, fridge or TV – is also responsible for Australia’s high level of electronic equipment consumption and associated e-waste.
While this is certainly a challenge, it also presents an opportunity for large scale impact when it comes to e-waste recycling, so that Australia can become a leader in creating a circular economy that mitigates environmental harm and generates economic opportunities in the growing sustainability sector.
Repairing, refurbishing, and recycling electronic products can create local jobs and tap into the value inherent in the materials used in electronic products. In Australia, we currently only recover 20% of the total value of the materials in the e-waste we generate.
How e-waste is managed in Australia
Where do I take my
e-waste in Australia?
If your items still work, consider giving them to friends, family, or charities. If they can’t be repaired or reused, search online for local e-waste disposal options through your council or check out drop-off points.
Whatever you do, don’t throw them in the rubbish. This will see them end up in landfill where they pose a risk to the environment and to human health. Properly repurposed, your e-waste can reduce the need to mine for new metals and materials.
What happens to
e-waste in Australia?
This is where Sircel comes in. After being collected through drop-off points, curbside collections or special collection days, e-waste is sorted by type and sent to our recycling facilities where it’s dismantled. Valuable materials like gold, copper and aluminium are recovered and processed for reuse. Harmful substances like lead, mercury and cadmium are extracted and disposed of according to strict environmental regulations.
What is Australia doing about e-waste?
Australia is tackling e-waste through a variety of initiatives including:
- The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) which mandates that manufacturers fund e-waste collection and recycling through free drop-off points.
- Product Stewardship Act which requires manufacturers to manage the whole lifecycle of their products to promote sustainable design and responsible disposal.
- Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia have all banned e-waste from direct landfill disposal and require recycling through designated facilities.
- Local council, retailers and libraries all offer e-waste recycling services and collection events.
- Australia is a signatory to the Basel Convention, an international treaty that regulates the movement of hazardous waste between countries.
An Australian-owned and operated solution
The Basel Convention makes it illegal for a country to export hazardous waste, including e-waste, without consent from the importing and transit countries and dictates stringent controls to prevent harm to the environment and health.
However, it’s difficult to regulate and there have been violations of the agreement.
Shipping e-waste overseas, particularly to developing countries, can have serious environmental and health impacts. Workers in these countries are exposed to toxic substances in unsafe working conditions and hazardous chemicals can contaminate local soil, water and air putting ecosystems and communities at risk.
Sircel is Australia’s only end-to-end e-waste recycling service. We won’t take part in practices that result in our e-waste causing harm to Australia or to other countries. Our Australian-owned and operated system means we can divert up to 100% of e-waste from landfill, against an industry average of just 20%. By partnering with corporations, councils, manufacturers and retailers, we can ensure e-waste is properly recycled and contributes to a circular economy that prevents harm and promotes sustainability.