Northern Territory · Darwin
E-waste disposal in Darwin
In the Northern Territory, electronics do not belong in a kerbside bin. Televisions and computers, including printers and peripherals, are taken free at collection points under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. Those points are run at council level, so ring yours first. Wipe every device before it leaves the house.
Sources National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (dcceew.gov.au)Waste Management Strategy for the Northern Territory 2015–2022 (NT EPA)
What do I do with electronics & screens in the NT?
- Wipe it first Factory reset, sign out of accounts, pull the SIM and any storage card. Do this before it leaves the house, not after.
- Still working? Sell, give away, or check whether a repair café or men's shed wants it. A working laptop is worth more than its metals.
- Dead? Take it to an e-waste drop-off. Televisions, computers, printers and their peripherals have a free national-scheme route; whitegoods, fridges, air conditioners and other electronics vary by state and site, so follow the state rules below.
Electronics do not go in a kerbside bin. Televisions and computers, including printers, computer parts and peripherals, are taken free at National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme collection points, which in the NT are council transfer stations and retail outlets.
Nearest drop-off: NT EPA — container refund depots (refund points only)
Can I put electronics in the bin in the NT?
No. Televisions and computers are collected free under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, and the lithium cells inside old devices start fires in collection trucks and at transfer stations. Kerbside services differ council by council in the Territory, and are not provided everywhere, so ring yours before you assume anything.
Where can I drop off e-waste in Darwin?
Collection points under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme are waste transfer stations and retail outlets, and in the Northern Territory those are run at council level rather than listed Territory-wide. Ring your council or your nearest transfer station before you drive. The Territory has no government-run general recycling locator: the only NT-wide official list is the container refund depot list, which takes drink containers only.
Does the national scheme cover fridges and washing machines?
No. It covers televisions and computers, including printers, computer parts and peripherals. Whitegoods sit outside it, so where a fridge or a washing machine goes in the Northern Territory is set by your council. Ring your transfer station and ask what it takes and what it charges before you load the trailer.
What should I do before I get rid of a phone or laptop?
Sign out of every account, factory reset the device, then take out the SIM and any memory card. Do that at home, while you still have the device in your hands. Anything that still works is worth selling or giving away rather than recycling. A dead device goes to e-waste with its battery left inside, never pulled out and binned.
Need it gone this week?
Compare council collection, recycling and pickup options on the fridge and whitegoods removal page for Darwin.