E-waste
From 1 July 2019, e-waste (electronic waste) can no longer be disposed of in a red-lid bin as both the hazardous and valuable materials that can be recovered when e-waste items reach the end of their working life are required to be diverted from landfill.
E-waste includes all items with a plug, battery or power cord such as televisions, computers, mobile phones, kitchen appliances, white goods, many children’s toys and more.
The Victorian Government has banned e-waste from all Victorian landfill from 1 July 2019 and has changed the regulations on how e-waste is managed.
The Benalla Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre will continue to accept e-waste, where it will be recycled for precious non-renewable resources.
For those unable to get to the Benalla Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre, small items can be disposed of at the Council's Customer Service Centre at a cost of $2 per item. These include:
- Toasters
- Kettles
- Mobile phones
- Clock radios
- Children's toys
- Light globes
- Batteries
- Irons
- Hairdryers
- Watches
- Drills
- Saws
- Laptops
- Remote controls
- Radios
- Thermostats
- Game consoles
- Hand-held game consoles
- Any similar sized electrical items
The amount of e-waste we dispose of is increasing up to three times faster than general waste across Australia. Electronic items don't break down over time and they often contain hazardous materials. Landfill is really not the best place for e-waste.
What is e-waste?
E-waste is any item with a plug, battery or power cord that is no longer working or wanted. This includes large appliances, such as fridges and washing machines, to batteries, watches, remote controls and old lamps. You can find more examples of e-waste at sustainability.vic.gov.au
What should I do with e-waste?
Is it still in working order? You might be able to donate, sell or give away your electronic waste.
If not, you can dispose of it at the Benalla Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre. We have specific e-waste cages available for you to dispose of e-waste materials. If you’re coming with other items, we recommend you separate your waste first.
Why recycle e-waste?
It’s good for the environment
E-waste contains hazardous materials that can leach into soil and groundwater or release into the air.
E-waste contains valuable materials
We’re throwing away a lot of precious non-renewable resources every year, including tonnes of copper, silver, gold, plastic, tin and nickel.
It reduces landfill
Keeping e-waste out of the volume of other waste we need our landfill for makes sense.
For more information about why the Victorian Government has banned e-waste in landfills, visit ewaste.vic.gov.au