E-waste and Whiteware
E-waste and whiteware can be dropped off at the Hazardous Waste Centre (opposite the Recycling Centre) or at any regional transfer station for safe disposal or recycling.
Whether your item is old or unwanted, working or broken, bringing it to us helps keep valuable metals in circulation—reducing the need for mining—and prevents hazardous materials from entering the landfill, causing fires, or releasing harmful gases.
Opening hours
Hazardous Waste Centre
Go to the Hazardous Waste page for opening hours at this site
Regional Transfer Stations
For opening hours of Regional Transfer Stations, select your site from the listing on the page below:
E-waste
E-waste includes computers, mobile phones, small batteries, TVs, printers, gaming consoles, small appliances, power tools, and most items with a plug, cord, or electrical component.
When you drop off e-waste, our team will check whether it still works. Wherever possible, we carry out functional testing and test-and-tag to NZS 5761:2011 standards. Items that pass are put back into the community through sale at the Dump Shop.
What happens to e-waste that cannot be tested or doesn’t pass testing?
Items are recycled safely:
- Small batteries and battery-containing items (phones, tablets, laptops) are made safe for transport and sent away for recycling.
- Larger e-waste such as computers and printers is dismantled, and components are recycled by material type.
- Hard‑to‑recycle items like CRT screens are shipped to facilities that separate components for recycling or safe disposal.
- Printer cartridges are recycled, and leftover paper is also repurposed.
Whiteware
Whiteware includes appliances such as fridges and freezers, washing machines, ovens, dishwashers, and similar household items.
When you drop off whiteware, our team checks whether the appliance is still working. We aim to functionally test and test-and-tag (NZS 5761:2011) as many appliances as possible.
Working appliances are either:
- donated through the Unwanted Goods Project to support people in need, or
- sold at the Dump Shop
We also recover usable parts. Local repairers source components from us, and the Dump Shop stocks items like fridge shelves, dishwasher baskets, and washing machine hoses.
What happens to whiteware that doesn’t pass safety or functional testing?
Non-working appliances are recycled according to type:
- Refrigeration units, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners are decommissioned by specialists. Refrigerant gases are safely recovered and disposed of through CoolSafe before the units are sent to the local scrap yard.
- Appliances containing oil have the oil removed and recycled.
- General whiteware such as ovens, washing machines, dishwashers, and range hoods are sent for metal recycling at the local scrap yard.
Fees
Item | Cost |
|---|---|
Whiteware (fridges, ranges, etc.) | $25 |
Desktop computer | $5.50 |
TV | $37 |
CRT monitor | $37 |
Laptop | $5.50 |
Mobile phones | Free |
LCD screen | $23.00 |
Printer | $5.50 |
Video player | $5.50 |
Microwave | $5.50 |
Fax machine | $5.50 |
Scanner | $5.50 |
Other items (e.g., photocopiers) | $5.50 |
