Less waste, more resources
National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme
Frequently asked questions
Information for Households and Small Business
How much does it cost and what products are covered?
Households and small businesses can drop off their unwanted televisions and computers free of charge at Scheme recycling services.
The Scheme accepts televisions, computers and computer products for recycling. This includes the following items:
- all televisions (CRTs, plasma, LCD, LED and projection televisions)
- desktop and portable computers
- monitors
- mice
- keyboards
- cables
- drives
- printers
- scanners, and
- computer-related peripherals.
Equipment that is heavily damaged or dismantled may not be accepted by the co-regulatory arrangement.
The Scheme does not accept other electronic items including: mobile phones, game consoles, video recorders, DVD and blue-ray players, toner cartridges, radios/stereos, power tools, universal power supplies and other electrical appliances. Information about recycling options for other products is available from the Planet Ark Website (recyclingnearyou.com.au).
What are the access requirements under the Scheme?
Under the Regulations, the co-regulatory arrangements must provide reasonable access to recycling services. Reasonable access is defined in the Regulations by a set of metrics as outlined below:
- Metropolitan areas: at least one service for every 250,000 people in each metro area
- Inner Regional areas: at least one service within 100km of every town of 10,000 people or more
- Outer Regional areas: at least one service within 150km of every town of 4,000 people or more
- Remote areas: at least one service within 200km of every town of 2,000 people or more and at a frequency of at least once every two years.
What should I do if a Scheme recycling service isn't available in my area?
There are a number of options for dealing with unwanted televisions and computers. These include:
- Checking the brand name of the equipment and contacting the manufacturer to see if they offer a recycling program
- Contacting your local council to see if other recycling services are available
- Passing them on to friends or family
- Asking second-hand shops or charities if they want them, but please don't dump them!
- Storing them out of the weather until a recycling service becomes available in your area
When switching to digital television, consider buying a digital set-top box or digital television recorder. It may be a less expensive and more environmentally friendly option than replacing and disposing of your analogue television.
Find out more
- Information for Householders and Small Business
- Fact sheet - Guide for Householders (PDF - 445KB) | (Word - 3324KB)
Lastest news & events
Free recycling available nationally
- Media release - 31 May 2013
- Media release - 23 May 2013
Public consultation
Proposed Amendments to the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme
- Discussion Paper - comments closed Tuesday 7 May 2013
