Computers

Computers contain a range of hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium and mercury, that must be disposed of carefully to minimise risk to human health and the environment.

Do not dispose of computers or computer parts in your garbage bin.

Donate your unwanted IT equipment

Local social enterprise, WombleTech, will take unwanted computers (working or not) and refurbish them for vulnerable members of the community. Go to the WombleTech website to register your donation, find a drop off point or to arrange a pickup. 

Drop off points for WombleTech in Merri-bek

Drop off your unwanted IT equipent at one of these two Neighbourhood Houses:

Reynard Street Neighbourhood House, 104a Reynard St, Coburg

Sussex Neighbourhood House, 7 Prospect St, Pascoe Vale

Refurbish your computer

Have your old computer or laptop refurbished or used for spare parts. Visit Reboot-IT or check the Yellow Pages for companies that repair and resell used computers.

National Recycling Scheme

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme has created a number of drop off points for the free recycling of computers and TVs across Australia to reduce the amount of e-waste disposed of in landfill and recover valuable materials.

The national recycling scheme is open to all residents and small businesses. A maximum of 15 items per person will be accepted.

Recycle your old computer

The nearest drop off points for Merri-bek residents are:

• Officeworks, 64 Gaffney Street, Coburg (this site will only accept computers and peripherals)
• Brunswick Transfer Station, 19/21 Kirkdale Street, Brunswick (this site will accept both computers and TVs)
• Moonee Valley Transfer Station, 188 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds (this site will accept both computers and TVs)
• MRI E-cycle Solutions, 1789 Sydney Road, Campbellfield (this site will accept both computers and TVs)

Please contact sites directly for hours of operation.

Items accepted at drop off points include:

• Computers: desktops, laptops, notebooks, PDAs, tablets, all other computers
• Monitors and projectors: CRT monitors and projectors, LCD and flat screen monitors
• Printers and multi-functional devices (MFDs)
• Computer peripherals: power supplies, adaptors, UPS, cables, parts and accessories

Items not accepted at drop off points include:

• DVD players, VCRs, set top boxes
• Hazardous waste: CRTs that have been removed from their cases, batteries that are not an integral part of the system
• White goods: refrigerators, washing machines, dryers
• Vacuum cleaners
• Microwaves
• Other electrical household appliances, and
• Packaging and other materials.

Visit the Drop Zone or Tech Collect websites for more information on what's accepted and not accepted and where to find drop off points.

Kerbside hard waste collection

Computers and peripherals can be placed out for collection during Council's bi-annual kerbside hard waste collection. All computers collected as part of the hard waste collection will be recycled.