Electronic waste (e-waste) is defined in the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
Generally, it's waste from things that involve an electric current or an electromagnetic field. This includes discarded electrical or electronic devices and equipment – for example:
- batteries (including rechargeable batteries)
- computers
- kitchen appliances
- mobile phones
- photovoltaic panels
- televisions (flat panel and cathode ray)
- whitegoods.
Products with minor electrical components, such as toys, are also e-waste.
You should not dispose of any e-waste in your household bin. This includes recycling bins not specifically marked for e-waste recycling. Take your household e-waste to a household e-waste drop off location. Sustainability Victoria has information on where to take your e-waste.
Lithium Ion batteries can cause fires if disposed of incorrectly. Do not dispose of batteries in household waste bins, bins destined for landfill or recycling services not specifically marked for e-waste or battery recycling.
If you manage or reprocess e-waste, you need to know how to store, process and dispose of it lawfully. Always [manage all e-waste as if it has a battery.
E-waste and the law
Landfills in Victoria are not able to receive e-waste. It's also illegal to dump waste, including e-waste.
Most e-waste from business and industry is pre-classified as priority waste under Schedule 5 of the Regulations. This includes most types of battery waste.
Used lead-acid batteries and nickel-cadmium batteries are classified as reportable priority waste. However, we have also issued a designation for used lead-acid batteries. If the designation applies, it changes the waste classification. For more information, view Transport or store used lead-acid batteries.
Duties
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017, there are duties that apply to priority waste and reportable priority waste. These duties apply to the generator, transporter and receiver of e-waste. For more information, visit Understand your waste obligations and duties.
The general environmental duty applies to the management of e-waste. You must eliminate or reduce the risk of harm from your electronic waste so far as reasonably practicable.
E-waste is a specified combustible recyclable and waste material. For information on how to manage it, view Specified combustible waste.
If your e-waste causes a fire, the duty to take action to respond to harm caused by a pollution incident may apply.
If your e-waste or fire from your e-waste harms land or groundwater, the duty to manage contaminated land and duty to notify of contaminated land may apply.
Permissions
You must get a permission to conduct certain activities involving e-waste. Permissions have conditions that must be met.
To reprocess e-waste, you need either:
- A02b – Other waste treatment (e‑waste more than 500 tonnes) development and operating licence
- A02c – Other waste treatment (e‑waste 500 tonnes or less) registration.
Used lead-acid batteries and nickel-cadmium batteries are pre-classified as reportable priority waste. You need an A01 – Reportable priority waste management development and operating licence to:
- contain or store them
- treat or reprocess them
- dispose of them.
To send or move waste batteries classified as reportable priority waste interstate, you need an A12 – Transporting waste out of Victoria permit.
Standards and codes
The Australian Standard for Management of electrical and electronic equipment for re-use or recycling (AS 5377:2022) sets out standards for the collection, transport and treatment of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment.
If you are transporting batteries – including interstate – you may have additional obligations under the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail.
Our role in e-waste
We regulate the transport, storage and reprocessing of industrial waste, including e-waste. Learn more about managing industrial waste.
Impact of e-waste on your health and the environment
Poor management of e-waste is a risk to human health and the environment.
E-waste is combustible. When it is burnt, harmful gases and particulate matter are released. This can include heavy metals, toxic dioxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and fluorinated compounds. Learn more about Managing fire risk at your business.
When e-waste is dismantled or shredded incorrectly, it generates fine dust that contains hazardous materials. This can include cadmium, chromium and flame retardants.
Toxic chemicals can contaminate soil and groundwater when e-waste is:
- illegally deposited in landfills
- incorrectly stored.
These chemicals can include lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, cobalt and brominated flame retardants.
Smoke detectors can contain a small amount of radioactive material. They should not be crushed, shredded or dismantled in anyway.
Manage industrial waste batteries
Find more information for waste and resource recovery facilities in Storage and management of waste batteries – guideline.
A designation applies to the transport, receipt and storage of certain amounts of used lead-acid batteries. The designation changes the waste classification.
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