Where to dispose of your electronic waste

By Nadia Dimattina

New e-waste bins have been installed at Library at The Dock.

The new bins are part of the City of Melbourne’s sustainability initiative around recycling.

A library spokesperson said there was a difference between recycling and disposing of electronic and electrical waste.

“The bins are for e-waste not for recycling rubbish. They are for electrical and electronic appliances that are out of action, so your toasters and your sandwich makers. They are not recycling bins,” she said.

Docklanders should be aware of the appropriate products you can dispose into the e-waste bins.

Accepted materials include electronic devices such as televisions, desktop computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, CDs, DVDs and speakers. Electrical waste, including toasters and household batteries, are also accepted.

You cannot dispose of smoke alarms, air conditioners or any chemical and hazardous materials.

The e-waste bins add to the library’s reputability as being the “most sustainable community building”.

Alongside the new bins, The Dock has other sustainable features such as passive ventilation and 85kw solar panels that supply approximately 30 per cent of the building’s total power.

The Library at The Dock has been awarded as Australia’s first six star Green Star rated public building and has won various awards including the 2015 National Architecture Award for Sustainable Architecture.