Frequently Asked Questions

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) requires that all ‘liable parties’ – i.e. organisations who manufacture or import more than 5,000 televisions, computers or printers – or 15,000 computer parts or peripherals into Australia – must join and fund an approved collection and recycling program, such as TechCollect.

Because programs such as TechCollect are fully funded by these liable parties, they offer a completely free service to households and small businesses.

All e-waste that is dropped off at any TechCollect site is sent directly to our recycling partners, who operate to sound environmental and workplace health & safety standards, and ensure at least 90% of the materials recovered from the e-waste we collect and recycle, are used as raw materials in the manufacture of new products.

Your data is your responsibility, please ensure it is permanently erased before you drop it off.  You can find more information about deleting your data here.

All televisions, PCs, laptops, tablets, printers and computer accessories will be accepted regardless of brand or age. A full list of items that we will collect and recycle can be found here.

The sorting stations for most household recycling systems aren’t equipped to handle electrical items, which require specialist disposal technology in order to meet strict health and safety guidelines. As a result, electrical items found in or alongside kerbside recycling bins tend to be sent to landfill.

Televisions and computers contain materials which can be hazardous both to humans and the environment when disposed of inappropriately. There are also penalties for dumping these products, including outside collection sites and charity bins.

Recycling your TVs and computers will reduce the amount of e-waste dumped into your local landfill. TVs and computers contain materials such as lead and mercury, which can be hazardous both to humans and the environment and when left out in the weather, there is an opportunity for these toxic substances to enter our local environment.

Because they take a long time to break down, the addition of more TVs and computers to our e-waste each year means these substances can build up and cause problems to human health, our pets, our food, and our favourite places. Responsible recycling reduces the chances of this happening. Recycling is good for you, your community, and the planet.

Historically, in some cases, unscrupulous handlers shipped unwanted e-waste to developing countries where often, unsafe recycling methods were used that put people in harm’s way. Australia is a signatory to the Basel and Rotterdam Conventions which address the international shipping of dangerous waste.

TechCollect also takes these issues very seriously and requires strict compliance and comprehensive reporting from all its recycling partners about every phase of the recycling process. Making a conscious decision to recycle with TechCollect gives you peace of mind that you have taken responsibility to protect others and the environment.

The Scheme aims to lift television and computer recycling from the current rate of around 64 per cent to 80 per cent by 2021-22.

International reporting has identified TV and computer products as a primary recycling concern, so these are being addressed first. In regions where recycling schemes are more established, a wider range of electronic and electrical products are recycled, and it is envisaged that over time Australia will expand the Scheme. For information on recycling other products in Australia, visit recyclingnearyou.com.au

• National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme
• Department of the Environment: National Waste Policy
• Planet Ark
• Step Initiative
• United Nations Environment Programme Division of Technology, Industry, and Economics