What happens to e waste: the main steps
Not every site does every step, and not every load goes through them in the same order. This is the general picture.
| Step | What happens | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Checking | Staff see what arrived and its condition | Does it match what we sent? |
| Sorting | Items are split by type and risk | Were batteries and odd items picked out? |
| Data | Drives are wiped or destroyed as instructed | Which method did we agree? |
| Preparation | Items are readied for the next step | Who does this work? |
| Dismantling or shredding | Equipment is broken down by machine or by hand | Does the method suit the item? |
| Separating | Metals, plastics and glass are split apart | Where does each material go next? |
Sorting by type and risk
Screens, computers, cables and devices with batteries are each handled differently. Sorting sends each one the right way. Whole, labelled items are much easier to deal with than a box of loose parts.
Tell the collector about broken glass, water damage and damaged batteries before the load leaves.
Sircel's e-waste checklist separates collection, data work, dismantling, shredding and separating. Use it to ask a provider which of these they actually do.
Data destruction has to be asked for
Recycling equipment and protecting data are two different jobs. Decide how your drives will be wiped or destroyed before the equipment leaves.
Ask what happens to drives that are broken or locked. Those should be dealt with, not quietly counted as done. If you choose destruction, you get written confirmation once the drives are destroyed.
Dismantling and separating materials
Some parts are removed by hand first. Other equipment goes straight to industrial shredders. This is work for proper facilities, not something to try at home.
Separating splits steel, other metals, plastics and other materials. Some of these still need more treatment before they become new products.
MobileMuster's recycling information shows how one Australian program handles mobile phones. Other equipment follows its own path.
Batteries, cartridges and screens
Batteries need to be identified and kept apart. A laptop with a built-in battery is not the same as a loose UPS battery. Never damage a battery to make a load simpler.
Cartridges have their own program through Cartridges 4 Planet Ark. Keep them whole and separate when you clear out printers. Never empty toner into other material.
Protect screens from breaking. Tell the collector about any damage, and never mix loose broken glass into a pallet of equipment.
Small loads and public options
Households and small businesses can use the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme for some products. Councils and retailers take others. See the Melbourne return directory.
These suit a small load where the data has already been dealt with. Free does not mean worse, and a fee does not always mean better. Compare what each one actually takes and does.
How to get your load ready
Keep items whole and labelled, and keep a simple list by type. Keep unchecked batteries and packaging out of the load. Take photos of the packed load.
Tell the provider before booking if you need drives listed by serial number or batches kept apart. It is hard to sort that out after the equipment is processed.
What Crex does
Crex collects e-waste from Melbourne businesses through business e-waste collection, or you bring it to our Braeside yard by arrangement. Data is wiped or destroyed the way you instruct, and the rest is recycled.
Email photos, quantities, suburb and your data needs to enquiries@crexgroup.com.au, or Tell us what you've got.
Batteries in devices
Laptops, phones and tablets can come as they are, with their batteries in. Loose, swollen or damaged lithium batteries are not taken. Tell us if any device is swollen, cracked or has been in water. Ask a qualified person to remove them, and do not include the removed batteries in the equipment load.