E-Waste Challenges: A Guide to Recycling Old Mobile Phones and Computers

I The development of electronics that support our daily lives requires significant time, resources, and fossil fuels. The journey from mining rare earth materials to processing, manufacturing, and shipping creates immense waste. The innovations in engineering and logistics that allow consumers to buy new mobile phones annually contribute to this issue.

According to the latest Global E-Waste Monitor, the world generates 62 million tons of electronic waste each year, with projections estimating e-waste emissions could reach 82 million tons by 2030. Australia contributes 580,000 tonnes of this annually. Factors like planned obsolescence, technological advancements, and device failures are expected to escalate this figure.

It’s estimated that 23 million mobile phones are unused and gathering dust in drawers across Australia, some of which are truly non-functional. Research indicates that the average Australian produces around 22kg of e-waste annually, nearly three times the global average, according to recent studies from the Productivity Commission.

“It’s the fastest growing waste stream, but it’s also the most valuable,” states Anne Stonier from the Australia New Zealand Recycling Platform (ANZRP). “Electronics also contain substantial amounts of hard plastics. Recycling can help ensure these materials are managed responsibly, contributing to a more circular economy.”

Wondering where to dispose of your old phone? Concerned about keeping your sensitive data safe? Here are some things to consider when recycling your old device.

Discover Local Recycling Programs

Recycling e-waste is more complex than merely putting it in the yellow bin. The first step is to identify local options available to you. For instance, local councils often have designated collection points and e-waste recycling programs. The locations may vary, and e-waste is banned from landfills in Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.

Additionally, several major retailers run recycling initiatives. Officeworks, for example, collects and recycles batteries, computer accessories, printer cartridges, and mobile phones. Their drop-off days apply to many other electronic products as well. Bunnings also offers collection bins for batteries and larger electronics like TVs, computers, and printers. The Mobile Muster program, run by the Australian telecommunications sector, collects a variety of devices, including mobile phones and streaming devices.

Many manufacturers also have take-back programs, allowing customers to trade in their old devices for discounts or credits on future purchases. If you’re thinking of upgrading, explore the options available to you.

Some charities accept donations of electronic devices, such as DV Safe Phone and Reconnection Project, which refurbish used devices and distribute them to those in need.

Disposing of Devices that Store Personal Information

Devices, whether it be a smartwatch tracking your daily runs or a tablet previously used for work, often store sensitive personal information.

Before disposing of electronic items, remember to back up or transfer any important files to another device or storage option (like an external hard drive or cloud service) and remove any identifying marks or stickers from the device.

What happens next depends on the device. For most smartphones, tablets, and smart devices, a factory reset will suffice. For computers, laptops, hard drives, and USBs, reformatting the drive and restoring factory settings should be enough. Don’t forget that fax machines, printers, and scanners may retain copies of printed documents, so perform a factory reset on those as well.

Finally, ensure you unpair your old device from any remaining computers or gadgets.

If your device is so outdated that it won’t power on and can’t connect to your computer, there’s not much you can do. Just make sure to remove any external memory cards before recycling.

What If My Device Contains Highly Sensitive Information?

Physically destroying a device, like drilling holes in a hard drive, is usually ineffective and counterproductive to the recycling process. It may also pose dangers, especially with devices featuring non-removable batteries, which could cause explosions and health hazards.

For devices containing highly confidential information you want to ensure is irretrievable, consider using data sanitization software to reformat your device and encrypt the hard drive. Secure data erasure services are also available, though their offerings and prices can differ widely. Some companies may provide free data destruction for donated hard drives so they can be repurposed, while other services are geared toward larger enterprises.

Some specialized recyclers also offer data destruction services, Stonier mentioned. “If you’re worried about your information falling into the wrong hands, it’s best to wipe it,” she advises. “Better safe than sorry.”

What Happens If I Don’t Take Any Action?

The severity of potential threats can vary. A hard drive filled solely with family photos poses less risk than one containing sensitive financial data. For the majority, it’s improbable they would be specifically targeted unless there’s a clear motive or pre-existing vulnerability.

Criminal activity is often opportunistic, and taking basic precautions can prevent future issues and anxieties.