South Australia · Adelaide
E-waste disposal in Adelaide
In South Australia, electronics cannot go in any kerbside bin. E-waste has been banned from direct landfill disposal across the state since September 2013, covering screens, computers, whitegoods, appliances, power tools and mercury lighting. Take it to a drop-off, listed on Which Bin SA. Wipe every device before it leaves the house.
What do I do with electronics & screens in SA?
- 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.
SA banned regulated e-waste from landfill on September 2013. The ban covers televisions, computers and accessories, whitegoods, large and small appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, power tools, toys with electronic components and mercury-containing lighting.
Nearest drop-off: Which Bin SA
Can I put electronics in the bin in SA?
No. Since September 2013 South Australia has banned e-waste from direct landfill disposal, so televisions, computers, whitegoods, vacuum cleaners, power tools and mercury-containing lighting cannot go in the red or blue landfill bin. Fluorescent lighting is separately banned and must not be placed in any household bin at all. The lithium cells inside old devices are also a fire risk in collection trucks.
Where can I drop off e-waste in Adelaide?
The EPA points householders to Which Bin SA, which lists three routes. Electronic Recycling Australia's Unplug n' Drop initiative accepts anything domestic that plugs into a power point, uses a charger or runs on batteries. MobileMuster takes phones, batteries, chargers and accessories at South Australian drop-off points or free by mail. Some councils also run their own e-waste collection points, so check with yours.
Does e-waste disposal cost anything in SA?
MobileMuster's mail-in service for phones, batteries, chargers and accessories is free. Council e-waste collection points vary, and only some councils have them, so ask yours what it takes and whether it charges. Paying generally starts when you want the item collected from the house rather than dropped off, or when you pay for a retailer to take the old appliance away.
What should I do before I get rid of a phone or laptop?
Sign out of every account, factory reset the device, and take out the SIM and any memory card while it is still in your hands. A working laptop is worth selling or giving away once it is wiped. A dead one goes to e-waste with the battery left inside, because loose batteries start fires in trucks and sorting sheds.
Need it gone this week?
Compare council collection, recycling and pickup options on the fridge and whitegoods removal page for Adelaide.