We’ve all got that drawer – a tangle of cables, old phones, maybe even a digital camera from 2007.
Welcome to the world of e-waste: anything with a plug or battery that’s no longer wanted, from laptops and TVs to chargers and toothbrushes.
Before you sneak it into the wheelie bin, here’s the good news: you can drop e-waste at Wāhi Tukurua in Whitianga (or other Resource Recovery Centres around the Bay). Instead of ending up in landfill, it gets responsibly dismantled and recycled.
“But why the fee?” Because e-waste recycling isn’t simple. It takes skilled work to remove hazardous materials like mercury, and to recover valuable metals such as copper, gold, and rare earth metals. That small charge ensures safe processing and protects our environment.
Once collected, e-waste is sorted, stripped, and sent to specialist recyclers. Some parts are reused, others melted down, while batteries and hazardous bits get extra care. Recycling e-waste keeps toxins out of landfills, reduces the need for mining, and supports local jobs. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to finally clear that drawer.
So next time you upgrade your phone or retire your toaster, give it a proper send-off.
Drop it at Wāhi Tukurua or your nearest Resource Recovery Centre. Your junk drawer, and the planet, will thank you!
Words by Tracey Bell: Chair – Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre
Words by Tracey Bell – Chair Wāhi Tukurua
