E-scrap ismade up of a complex mix of materials, including precious metals such as gold,silver, copper, lithium and platinum. It’s important for e-waste to beresponsibly re-used or recycled, as this can have wide reaching positiveimpacts on our environment.

Re-usingitems ensures the lifespan of a product is lengthened, and delays thepossibility of an item ending up in landfill. Alternatively, proper recyclingcan ensure the precious metals are extracted instead of wasting away inlandfills across the globe. 

Electronic waste has a high recoverable value, so taking your unwanted electronics to the correct processing facilities ensures these items are processed properly; diverting the precious metals as well as the hazardous waste from landfill, where it has the potential to pollute our environment and leach into surrounding waterways.  

How is e-waste collected?

Here at Computer Recycling Ltd we collect and collate e-waste from a range of different outlets. We work with households, businesses, local body government and community groups to source and collect as much e-waste as possible, diverting it from landfills. Collections are undertaken through individual and business pick-ups or drop-offs, and also through our CR E-Days, which we run weekly at different locations throughout Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. 

E-waste gathered by Computer Recycling is brought back to the company’s site in Onehunga. From there, the waste is sorted, graded, and split into two categories: reuse or recycle.

How cane-waste be reused?

Items that may have a second life are cleared of data, refurbished and retailed throughout partner company Tech Barn. We understand old mobile phones or devices may contain personal details, and therefore part of our recycling and refurbishing program ensures all the data is destroyed, meaning it can no longer be accessed. Through Tech Barn, Kiwis have been able to purchase more than 45,000refurbished electronic items in the last three years. These electronics areawide ranging and include computers, laptops, gaming systems, sound systems and modems. Refurbishing these electronics lengthens the device’s lifespan, positively impacting on our consumption levels and reducing the flow-on effect to local landfills. 

How is e-waste recycled?

Items that can no longer be refurbished & reused are prepared and dismantled, then packaged for recycling. The complex mix of metals is then exported under Environmental Protection Agency permits to facilities in Asia and Europe. At this stage, New Zealand doesn’t have the volumes to make the full dismantling and metal recovery of most e-waste material viable – meaning we need to utilise services off-shore. These overseas suppliers are equipped with the infrastructure and machinery to undertake such complex recycling methods, ensuring the materials are sorted and returned to base elements, to be used again.

When the arrive with us, certain hard-to-recycle items – such as CRT TVs – are transferred to local recycling partners who are equipped to handle the hazardous materials contained within these items. These suppliers safety process the items to extract the metals, ensuring the hazardous waste is contained and managed in a safe way.

Check out the full list of products we accept and recycle, through our website homepage here. Each product page provides further details as well as FAQs regarding how we process and recycle these unwanted items. Or to arrange a collection for your household or business, get in touch with us today!