Recycling Computers and Electronic Waste in the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council - Blackall District area

Electronic or 'e-waste' is the waste associated with the use and disposal of electronic equipment such as computers, televisions and printers.

E-waste can contain a broad range of materials including precious metals (such as gold and platinum), toxic heavy metals, metal circuitry, mixed plastics, fire retardants and glass. The problem is growing significantly in Australia as we have a fast uptake and turnover of electronic products.

Australia does not currently have a national e-waste recycling scheme, although there are collection programs for some of these wastes. They include:

Computers and their Peripherals: There are a number of companies that either recycle, refurbish or reuse computers in your state. For locations in your area see the computer recycling section on this page.

The AIIA (Australian Information Industry Association) has set up an Environment Special Interest Group to develop a national approach to computer recycling. For more information visit the AIIA website

Televisions: The Consumer Electronics Suppliers' Association (CESA) has formed a not-for-profit company called Product Stewardship Australia Ltd, in order to promote and manage environmentally-sound disposal and recycling of TVs. Visit the Product Stewardship Australia website to keep up to date with the developments on this project.

Printers/Photocopiers: If they are still in good working order or are fairly new, reuse or refurbishment may be an option. For locations in your area see the computer recycling section on this page or contact the manufacturer.

Printer Cartridges: The voluntary extended producer responsibility program called 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' is supported and funded by seven of Australia's leading print manufacturers. All types and brands of printer cartridges are accepted for recycling. For more information visit the printer cartridge recycling section on this site.

Mobile Phones: The official mobile phone industry recycling program is called MobileMuster. It is run by AMTA (Australia Mobile Telecommunication Association) and is funded solely by its members. For more information on this program and other mobile phone recycling programs, visit the mobile phone recycling section on this site.

Below are the companies that will recycle, refurbish or reuse Computers and their Peripherals in your state.

Order by Name or by companies that will Recycle, Refurbish or Reuse

1800EWaste Pty Ltd

  • Recycle

Phone: 1800 392 783
Email: mail@ewaste.com.au
1800EWaste Pty Ltd Website
Drop Off Address: Pick Ups Only
Fee: Fees Apply

Brisbane City Council

  • Recycle

Phone: 07 3403 8888
Brisbane City Council Website
Drop Off Address: E-waste collected
Fee: Free to Brisbane City residents - domestic quantities only
Details: Brisbane City Council occasionally holds collection days for electronic waste. See Brisbane City Council website for details.

Briscom Computer Traders

  • Recycle
  • Refurbish
  • Reuse

Phone: 07 3712 0667
Email: jane@briscom.com.au
Briscom Computer Traders Website
Drop Off Address: 48 Jijaws St Sumner Park
Fee: Fees May Apply
Details: Accept all computer equipment, working and non-working. Accept printers and monitors. Pick up available - call for details. Open 6 days.

Buyequip Pty Ltd

  • Recycle
  • Refurbish
  • Reuse

Phone: 07 3856 5300
Email: officemanager@buyequip.net
Buyequip Pty Ltd Website
Drop Off Address: 1/1a Byth Street, Stafford, QLD 4053
Fee: No fees apply to drop offs
Details: Accept computer related products. Do not accept TV's and VCR's.

Computer Source Australia Pty Ltd

  • Recycle
  • Refurbish
  • Reuse

Phone: 07 3356 1466
Email: computersource@bigpond.com
Drop Off Address: Unit 1, 14 Harvton St, Stafford 4053
Fee: Do not apply.
Details: All e-waste, computers, monitors, printers etc.

Computer Technologies for Schools Project

  • Reuse

Phone: 0428 250 392
Email: ctfs@edna.edu.au
Computer Technologies for Schools Project Website
Drop Off Address: Nationwide program: pick up or direct link with needy recipient
Fee: Fees do not apply
Details: Equipment in good working condition only. Pentium 4 or equivalent. No CRT monitors. National program, computers go to schools or individuals in need. Accepts donations from individuals and businesses.

Computerbank QLD

  • Refurbish

Email: mailbox@cbq.org.au
Computerbank QLD Website
Drop Off Address: 29 Cambridge Street, Coorparoo QLD
Fee: Fees May Apply
Details: Computerbank Queensland supplies computers and associated information technology to financially disadvantaged individuals and community groups at no cost. We take donations of working computer equipment (Pentium III or 700 MHz or better) from the corporate sector and the public. These are then refurbished by volunteers in Brisbane and distributed to those who need them. Please email us with advice on what you are willing to donate. Include your phone number and we will contact you as soon as we can.

DELL Computer Recycling

  • Recycle

Phone: 1800 465 890
Email: recycling_dell_au@dell.com
DELL Computer Recycling Website
Drop Off Address: Will pick up DELL branded products within 40km of CBD free of charge. Pick up from other locations for a fee. Drop off available at MRI in Sydney or Melbourne.
Fee: Fees May Apply
Details: Free recycling pickups for any Dell branded IT equipment via the website online form. For collection of all other brands, phone for further information.

Gold Coast City Council

Phone: Waste Management on (07) 5582 8799.
Gold Coast City Council Website
Fee: Free to residents - domestic quantities only
Details: Residents of Gold Coast City Council area can dispose for free recycling: computer equipment, home office equipment, electronic games and toys, and home entertainment equipment. Call council for date of next collection.

Green PC

  • Refurbish

Phone: 07 3255 8300
Email: info@greenpc.com.au
Green PC Website
Drop Off Address: Unit 1, 11 Didswith St, East Brisbane, QLD 4169
Fee: No fees
Details: Accept pentium 1V less than 4 years old. Pick up service available for large quantiies (18 or more)

Hewlett - Packard

  • Recycle

Email: assetrecoveryasiapacific@hp.com
Hewlett - Packard Website
Fee: Fees may apply
Details: Asset Recovery Services Programme accepts any manufacturer's printers, scanners, fax machines, personal computers, servers and computer peripherals. This service is available to HP corporate customers only.

MRI Australia

  • Recycle
  • Refurbish
  • Reuse

Phone: 1300 858 550
Email: mri@mri.com.au
MRI Australia Website
MRI Australia Website
Drop Off Address: Pick up service for all QLD locations
Details: Will pick up all equipment from individuals and businesses. Accepts computer and electrical equipment (except whitegoods).

SIMS GROUP e - Recycling

  • Recycle

Phone: 07 3266 5429 or 07 3266 3655
Email: e-recycling@au.sims-group.com
SIMS GROUP e - Recycling Website
Drop Off Address: 72 Crockford Street, Northgate
Fee: Fees Apply
Details: Opening hrs: Mon to Thur 7.30 - 4pm Fri 7.30 - 2pm Take most IT and electrical equipment. Call for more drop off locations.

Tic Group

  • Recycle

Phone: 03 9093 6600
Email: ewaste@ticgroup.com.au
Tic Group Website
Drop Off Address: Commercial Pick Ups Australia Wide
Fee: Fees Apply
Details: Will pick up any electronic equiment in commercial quantities Australia wide.

Computer recycling in Australia

Every year Australians purchase millions of computers and related components to replace equipment superceded by faster and more powerful technologies. Whilst computers are getting smaller and lighter, they are still a major waste management issue - particularly with older computers and monitors.

The AIIA (Australian Information Industry Association) has set up an Environment Special Interest Group which is addressing the environmental impact of computers. Negotiations are currently underway between the AIIA and other bodies with a view to establishing a national computer recycling scheme. For more information visit the AIIA website.

Computers and the Environment

  • Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors contain high levels of toxic materials that need to be disposed of more responsibly.
  • When dumped in our landfills the materials and chemical components used to make computer equipment such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic can leach into and harm our environment.

The following websites will give you up-to-date developments on e-waste recycling: