Now is the time to clear out the clutter and recycle your old computers and office equipment.
During the month of May, unwanted computer and electrical equiment can be dropped off for recycling at the Clare Transfer Station, Benny’s Hill Road, free of charge. Your e-waste can then be recycled into many components, instead of going into landfill.
Clare Transfer Station, Benny’s Hill Road
Open Thurs 9.00am – 1.00pm, Friday 9.00am – 12.00 noon and 1.00pm – 5.00pm, Sun 9.00am – 4.30pm
Ph 8842 6400
For more information, go to zerowaste.sa.gov.au
FAQ
Q: What items will be accepted?
A: Computer equipment
Any brand of desktop or laptop computer, monitors, computer mice, keyboards, computer cables, hard drives, floppy disc and CD/DVD drives, ipods, walkmans and computer related peripherals.
Home office equipment/mobiles
Printers, scanners, mobile handsets and chargers.
Entertainment equipment
Televisions, video recorders, DVD players, hi-fi and stereo equipment, digital cameras and video cameras.
Only televisions that are still in their cases (wooden or plastic) with no broken or smashed screens will be accepted.
Q: What items will not be accepted?
A: Items that will NOT be accepted as part of the collection include printer cartridges and ink toner cartridges, fridges, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, (whitegoods), vacuum cleaners, microwaves, other kitchen household appliances, UPS Units, overhead projectors, batteries that are not an integral part of the computer system, fluorescent light tubes, fire alarms, contaminated equipment of other hazardous waste.
Q: Why are you only accepting televisions that are still in their cases with no broken or smashed screens?
A: Cracked and physically broken televisions can expose council staff to hazardous materials including broken glass and lead particles. You should ensure your television is returned for recycling in one piece and should not attempt to dismantle and salvage any components for yourself.
Q: Why is it important to dispose of and recycle e-waste properly.
A: Televisions, computers and other electronic items (e-waste) contain non-renewable resources such as tin, nickel, zinc, aluminium and copper, as well as hazardous materials including lead and mercury. Sending these products to landfill means the resources they contain are lost and there is potential that the hazardous substances may be released into the environment.
Q: What happens to the e-waste? How is it recycled?
A: All products collected during this program are manually dismantled or mechanically shredded. Materials are sorted into various product streams: metals, plastics, glass, cables, packaging, etc. There is very little which is not recycled. For this event, all items will be processed here in Australia, with as much product as possible being recycled within South Australia.
Recycled plastics are used in the manufacture of things like:
Outdoor furniture
Plastic plant pots
Dashboards for cars
Metals are remanufactured into the same metals. Leaded glass from Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) glass (from televisions) is used in the manufacture of new CRT glass.
Q: Who is doing the recycling?
A: All collected e-waste will be processed in Adelaide by E-Cycle Recovery and CRT Recycling for the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) component.
Q: Who is making money out of this?
A: The Government does not make any money from this program. A typical big monitor costs about $12-$18 dollars to have recycled, a laptop around $6 and desktop computer about $10. No product will be on-sold or donated. The environment stands to gain the most from this. The South Australian Government through Zero Waste SA is funding this program. Zero Waste SA and The Local Government of South Australia (LGA) in partnership with the local regional councils are managing the program.
Q: What happens to any data on my hard drive?
A: It is physically destroyed in the recycling process. The hard drive is removed from the unit and physically damaged (typically with a hammer). It is then dismantled into small pieces. Zero Waste SA has no responsibility for loss or confidentiality of customer data on recycled equipment. However if you are still uncomfortable about leaving your hard drive, it is encouraged that you delete the data yourself before doing so.
Q: Can members of the community take any e-waste items away from the bins/containers at the drop-off sites?
A: No. Workers, businesses or the general public cannot take anything from the recycling site.
Q: How long do I have to take advantage of these free drop-off arrangements?
A: The free e-waste drop-off for the regional South Australia areas will be available from Tuesday 1 May 2012 to Thursday 31 May 2012. If you miss the opportunity contact your council to determine your options, or store your unwanted television and other electronic items until the national recycling scheme is introduced.
For more information about the scheme check out the Australian Government website at http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/ewaste
Q: Can I drop my e-waste at my local council prior to May 2012?
A: For Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) reasons, it would be best if you store your unwanted items until the collection in May.
Q: Can I drop items like microwaves, fridges and washing machines through this drop- off program?
A: No. This program is targeting electronic waste only. Contact your local council or local whitegoods retailer to enquire about the best way to dispose of your unwanted whitegoods.
Q: Why are only certain items being collected at this event?
A: Zero Waste SA has decided the range of electrical products that will be accepted at these events. To find out where other electrical items that are not included in this collection can be recycled, visit the Recycle Right search engine.
Q: Can I drop off unwanted CDs and video cassettes?
A: Yes. CDs and DVDs video cassettes will also be accepted for recycling at the drop-off points.
Q: I am unable to get to one of the drop-off sites because the items I have, especially my television, are too heavy for me to lift? Can they be collected from my house?
A: Given the nature of this program, there is no formal arrangement in place for the collection of items from an individual’s household. In this instance, we suggest seeing if a friend, family member or neighbour may be able to assist you with any items you wish you drop-off at your designated location.
Q: Can I take my e-waste to a drop off location that is not within my council?
A: Yes. This free e-waste program is open to all regional householders and small businesses. You can drop off your television at any of the listed sites, no matter what council area you live in.
Q: What can I do with my electronic waste if I miss the May drop off program?
A: Some regional councils offer ongoing electronics recycling drop-off services for other electronic items. Contact your local council or look on the Zero Waste SA website for ongoing e-waste collections in your council area.
http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au
If your council does not offer electronics waste recycling, you may be required to store your unwanted items until an industry-lead recycling scheme is implemented.
For more information about the scheme check out the Australian Government website at
http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/ewaste
Q: Is this the only way I can dispose of my unwanted e-waste?
A: No. You do not necessarily need to dispose of your e-waste this way, especially if your items still work. Other options may include asking a family member or friend if they want it, or contact a local charitable organisation or continue to store them.
Q: How can I recycle my fluorescent tubes?
A: South Australian householders can simply drop of their end-of life globes including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), incandescent globes, fluorescent tubes and halogen lamps, tubes and bulbs at any Mitre 10 or True Value hardware stores. This ensures that globes will be recycled instead of going to landfill and prevents mercury contained in some globes from harming the environment.
To find your local Mitre 10 store visit www.mitre10.com.au
To find your local True Value store visit www.truevalue.com.au
Q: Where can I recycle my printer and toner cartridges?
A: You can drop off your used or empty laser and inkjet cartridges at participating Australia Post, JB Hi-Fi, Dick Smith, Tandy, The Good Guys, Harvey Norman and Officeworks stores. Inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges and toner bottles from participating brands (Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Konica Minolta and Lexmark) are accepted. This includes cartridges used in printers, photocopiers and fax machines.
To search for your closest location go to http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/cartridges
If your workplace or business has large quantities of printer cartridges to recycle, visit BusinessRecycling.com.au to find suitable collection or pick up service options.
Q: I heard that there is an industry-lead national scheme for televisions and computers coming soon. When is that happening?
A: In November 2009, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council agreed to develop a national recycling scheme for computers and televisions. This scheme will be progressively rolled out across Australia from July 2012. The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme will provide Australian householders and small business with access to free collection and recycling services for televisions, computers, printers and computer products. The Scheme will progressively boost the recycling rate for televisions and computers from the current 17 per cent to 80 per cent over 10 years, providing a long term solution to television and computer waste.
For more information about the scheme check out the Australian Government website at http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/ewaste