Stop and think twice this New Year and consider new habits for safe, easy and environmentally friendly electronic waste disposal.
Did Santa gift bring you new electrical items this Christmas? Are you in the mood for a post-festive declutter? If so, learn what to do with unwanted electrics or batteries without sending goods to landfill and impacting our environment.
Electronic waste (e-waste) is any item with a cord, plug or battery. E-waste items gifted to you this Christmas may include:
- Home entertainment items such as TV's and games console
- Tech items such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets and laptops
- Toys requiring batteries such as remote-control cars
- Personal items such as hair straighteners
Used batteries and unwanted e-waste items cannot be disposed of in household bins. They can cause fires in collection trucks or collection facilities and leach harmful chemicals into the environment.
So, if you've ended up with an e-waste item you no longer use or need, consider the following options to give it a new lease on life:
- Donate or sell
If your e-waste item still is useable, consider donating it to family and friends or your local op shop. You could also sell it online.
- Repair
Could your pre-loved item be repaired? There are two Repair Cafes in Knox who repair electrical goods for a small, gold coin donation. Visit Knox Repair Cafe and Rowville Men's Shed for more information.
