Did you know that the metals in your toaster could one day be used to make electric cars?
Electronics, such as alarm clocks, cameras, toasters, hair straighteners and radios can take on a new life – either through being repaired or by having their parts recycled and re-used in new products.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Tony Stevenson, said that any object that can take a power source, from a battery to a cord, is classified as e-waste, and that they can all be recycled.
“Electronics around the home, such as computers or televisions, contain precious, non-renewable metals such as gold and platinum, along with mixed plastics and metal circuitry, which can all take on a new life if recycled.
“For example, your toaster, which has aluminium, copper and nickel chrome alloy, can be reused to make new appliances – copper wiring can be used for anything from home electronics to electric cars.
“Some appliances can also contain toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and arsenic – recycling your appliances means we can prevent those metals from getting into the environment and re-use the materials safely in new products.
“It’s easy to take your e-waste to a better place, by dropping items off for free at your local waste transfer station or putting them out for collection in your annual hard waste collection where they will be separated for recycling.”
The State Government’s e-waste ban means that, from 1 July 2019, e-waste cannot be accepted in landfill. As a result, you are unable to place these items in your household waste bins.
What is e-waste?
E-waste is any item with a plug, battery or cord that is no longer working or wanted.
- Large and small household appliances, such as fridges, irons, kettles, hairdryers and straighteners
- IT, telecommunications and TV equipment, including computers and accessories, tablets, phones and TVs
- Lighting, including LEDs and fluorescent lamps
- Electrical and electronic tools
- Toys, leisure and sporting equipment, such as race cars, handheld video games or musical equipment
- Medical devices and thermostats