Why e-waste is banned from landfill in most states
Several Australian states and territories have specific bans on e-waste going to landfill, because electronics often contain materials — lead, mercury, and other heavy metals — that shouldn't end up in general waste, alongside genuinely valuable recoverable materials like copper and rare-earth elements that are wasted if the device is simply landfilled.
Where to actually take it
Most councils run a free e-waste drop-off at their local waste transfer station or during periodic collection events — check your council's own site for the nearest one. Many electronics retailers also run their own free take-back programs for old devices, sometimes as part of a trade-in when buying something new.
Small items — old phones, chargers, cables — are often accepted at dedicated collection bins in shopping centres or electronics stores even outside a formal drop-off event, which is usually the most convenient option if you just have one or two items.
What counts as e-waste
Anything with a cord, battery, or circuit board: computers, phones, TVs, printers, small appliances, and the cables that go with them. This is a broader category than just "electronics" in the everyday sense — a broken kettle or an old cordless drill counts too.