e-waste is the fastest growing type of waste in the world and is more toxic than normal household rubbish. Computers and other electronic devices can contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury. The plastic casing and wiring of computer equipment can also contain hazardous materials, such as brominated flame retardants.
A 2006 report 1 estimated there were 16 million electronic devices in use in New Zealand, including 10 million cathode ray tubes (CRTs). The report predicted an additional 1 million electronic devices would be purchased each year. Much of this equipment is now reaching the end of its life and is being disposed of in landfills.
A 2007 report 2 revealed around half of all schools dumped unwanted computer equipment in landfills.
Landfilling stores waste, rather than allowing for the recovery and reuse of valuable materials. Also, hazardous substances may leach from landfills into surrounding land and waterways, polluting our environment.
Please bring your unwanted electronic devices to Xtreme Waste on eDay each year and you can drop them off for FREE.
1 Computer Access NZ Trust (2006) e-Waste in New Zealand: taking responsibility for end-of-life computers and TVs.
2 2020 Communications Trust (2007) ICT in New Zealand Schools.
About eDay
What is eDay?
eDay is a community initiative designed to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling computers and the hazardous nature of electronic waste (e-waste), while offering an easy way for households and schools to dispose of old computers and mobile phones in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The event was launched in Wellington in 2006 with an extremely successful pilot sponsored by Dell. Fifty-four tonnes of unused computer hardware were collected in one day. In 2007, eDay was extended to 12 locations throughout New Zealand where a total of 6,900 cars dropped off 415 tonnes of e-waste.
In 2008, at 32 sites across the country, a further 946 tonnes of e-waste was diverted from New Zealand landfills. This included more than 87,000 computer items including monitors, CPUs and printers.
The aims of eDay
Increase community awareness of the benefits of recycling computers and the hazardous nature of electronic equipment, making it clear that disposal in landfills is not a sustainable option.
Provide a mechanism and convenient drop-off points for households, schools and community organisations to dispose of computer equipment and mobile phones that are no longer being used.
Recycle obsolete computer and communications equipment in an environmentally sustainable manner.
What can I drop off?
Getting involved is easy. Simply check the following lists for what you can and can't dispose of, and what you need to do to your old equipment before eDay. Please note this is a cars-only event, no trucks or trailers please.
Volunteers are also needed to help out on the day, click here for details on how to sign-up.
What can be disposed of
computer hardware
monitors
networking equipment (e.g. modems, routers, hubs)
scanners
keyboards, mice, speakers
laptops
printers
game consoles
toner and ink jet cartridges
mobile phones
fax machines
digital cameras
What can't be disposed of
We can't accept items that aren't related to computers or mobile phones. These include:
televisions
radios
stereos
DVD players, video recorders
other home appliances
furniture
What to do before eDay
Wipe all data from your computer's hard drive and remove any removable media such as floppy disks or PC cards.
Ensure that your mobile is disconnected by your service provider and that contacts and other stored information are erased from the phone's memory. Also remove your phone's SIM card if it has one.
