- This event has passed.
E-Waste – free collection 10-18 August
August 10 - August 19
UPDATE: This event is now closed.
- About 350 households participated:
- 150 laptop and desktop computers,
- 100 TVs and computer monitors,
- 300+ mobile phones
And many more boxes of other things.
FAQ:
- Will there be limit to the number of devices I can give? Yes, there are physical and financial limits to this free disposal service so we recommend you book your collection in advanced.
- What types of electrical devices will you collect? The priority of this collection is the most toxic stuff (computers, mobile phones, tablets etc.), but really we will take anything with a plug off your hands. The actual list of what Echo will accept is down the bottom of the EchoTech website.
- What types of things will you NOT collect? We will not collect hazardous waste like paint, chemicals, or LPG Gas Bottles. These you can take to Silverstream landfill. We will also not accept CDs, DVDs, VHS, LED or household lightbulbs, these can go in your red bin.
- What do I need to do with my devices before handing them over? We recommend – if you can – to backup any data you want first, permanently delete personal data, remove memory cards (if accessible), and sign out of any accounts that you may have opened. We will treat all devices as if they containing confidential data, and ensure a secure transit to their final destination as determined by EchoTech.
Resources: Some useful e-waste related resources:
- A good guide on how to delete your data, plus some privacy guidance from the UK government.
- Substances in e-waste aren’t biodegradable and will accumulate in our air, the ground – and in our water. Even though e-waste only accounts for 2% of solid waste, it produces a staggering 70% of discarded hazardous materials
- New Zealand’s e-waste per capita is 19.6kg per person, and one of the worst in the world.
- The climate impacts from information technology is disproportionately high, and still accelerating. For a full study of the impacts this is a solid read.
- The UN have published a good presentation of the information technology sector wide analysis.
