E-Waste recycling
Electrical and electronic waste recycling
We’re a central drop-off point for e-waste.
Most electrical and electronic item such as TVs, mobile phones and computers, are made of materials that can harm people and the environment if not disposed of properly. Be a responsible kiwi and drop your e-waste off to us.
Most items can be dropped off to us for free by householders. TVs, computer screens, printers, toner and fluorescent light bulbs have a charge. If you are a business charges apply for all items.
TVs & Computer Screens
Prices for householders and business:
✔️ TVs - CRTs, CRT Macs, 40inch+ Flat-screen - $40 per screen
✔️ TV flat screen 0-40 inch - $25 per screen
✔️ Flat screen computer monitor - $15 per screen
✔️ CRT computer monitor - $25 per screen
Household appliances
Items are free for householders and for business:
✔️ Small appliances, such as power tools and alarm clocks
✔️ Domestic Coffee machines
✔️ Cameras, video cameras, landline phones, GPS units
✔️ Domestic heaters, including oil columns, electric and fan heaters
✔️ Vacuum cleaners
✔️ Microwaves
Mobile phones
✔️ Mobile phones - free
Laptops & UPS (Uninterrupted Power Sources)
Items are free for householders - prices apply for business only:
✔️ Laptops more than 10 years old or laptops without a charger - $10 per item
✔️ Laptops less than 10 years old, with a charger - free (excluding Chromebooks)
✔️ MacBooks less than 14 old, with a charger - free
✔️ PCs (not including screens) - $10 per item
✔️ Servers, patch panels and switches - $20 per item
✔️ Hubs, routers, modems - $3 per kg
✔️ Cables, memory boards, keyboards, mouses - $3 per kg
✔️ Tablets - $5 per item
✔️ Data destruction or degaussing - please enquire for services and pricing
Printers and other office equipment
Prices for householders and business:
✔️ Domestic-sized printers, scanners and faxes - $10 per item
✔️ Office printers/photocopiers - please email info@tearozerowaste.org.nz
✔️ Copier toner -$4 per kg
Other electronics
Items are free for householders - prices apply for business only:
✔️ DVD players, VCRs, gaming consoles - $10 per item
✔️ CD players, stereo systems (including speakers), amps, record players - $10 per item
✔️ Miscellaneous electronics - $3 per kg
(Note some miscellaneous items like routers, electronic toothbrushes may be charged per item between $2-$5)
✔️ Domestic / household batteries - free
✔️ Commmercial / office collection batteries - $5 per kg
✔️ Laptop and power tool batteries - $5 per kg
Light bulbs
✔️ CFL eco bulbs - $2 each
✔️ Fluorescent tubes - $3 each
Sadly, there are some things we can’t take
❌ Fridges, fridge/freezers, heat pumps, dehumidifiers because of the need for them to be degassed.
❌ Dishwashers, washing machines, ovens etc due to our lack of space for storing large items.
❌ CD’s DVDs, videotapes, cassette tapes - sadly, all landfill. There is still no process for these in Wellington. Op shops may take CDs, DVDs if they’re in their proper cases etc
❌ Incandescent light bulbs (older style) & halogen light bulbs (mr16s & Gu10’s) - check out the Mitre 10 programme.
❌ Vapes - we can collect the batteries if they have been removed from the vape
There are facilities around the region for accepting some of these items. Check individual sites for what they can accept and any costs associated with disposal. In Wellington City – Southern Landfill Transfer Station. In Porirua - Trash Palace. In Lower Hutt - Earthlink.
Where does the e-waste go?
We work with trusted partners to dispose of the e-waste correctly. We have a regular collection from Echo. Mobile phones go to Re:Mobile, CFL eco bulbs and fluoro tubes go to Interwaste.
Small domestic appliances, which are broken and are primarily metal, are sent to our metal recyclers MacAuley Metals.
We are developing our capacity to reuse electronic items. Come and browse preloved items in working order at our centre. We also sell reusable components and items without a plug that are still in working order (things like mobile phone charging cables, network cables etc).
Some of our laptops under 10 years old, with a charger, are donated to Recycle a Device. Data is wiped off laptops before being sent to schools for refurbishment. Students diagnose issues, replace batteries, hard drives, screens and keyboards. Laptops are gifted to someone who needs it. It’s all about bridging the digital divide.
We will continue to update this page as we expand in this space. If you would like to talk partnerships, please get in touch for a korero. We are particularly keen to hear from volunteers who have skills in electronics repair – get in touch here.