The Global E-waste monitor reported that e-waste is one of the world’s fastest growing waste streams.

Australia ranks fifth in the world for e-waste production. Each person generates 23kg of waste, equivalent to more than 120 iPhones.

To help combat this issue, Officeworks is running a recycling program, Bring it Back, which allows customers to drop off their old smartphones, printers, and print cartridges, batteries, pens and markers to be recycled.

“We know Australians want to do the right thing with their old technology, but many are confused about how, and where, to dispose of their old equipment. Since 2015, we’ve had our in store Bring it Back recycling program so customers can recycle their home and office technology responsibly, comments Officeworks managing director Sarah Hunter.

“While working from home during the pandemic, many of us needed to purchase new, or upgrade old technology to meet the demands of remote working. National Recycling Week is a great chance to dig through the drawers, find that old phone, pens or batteries and do the right thing and recycle them,” she adds.

According to Officeworks, during the pandemic, 26% of Australians purchased new gadgets as a result of spending more time at home to connect with friends and family, and be entertained and productive while at home. National Recycling Week is the chance to dispose of any outdated or unwanted technology and stationery products that we have sitting at home.

In the past financial year, Officeworks customers have recycled more than 1,500 tonnes of e-waste and stationery, with over 5,600 tonnes recycled and the materials reused from park benches, electrical components, and other new products.

As part of this recycling initiative, Officeworks has also partnered with Planet Ark’s Cartridges 4 Planet Ark to recycle more than 10 million ink cartridges.

The Bring it Back program partners with organisations such as Planet Ark, Mobile Muster, and TechCollect to ensure products are recycled appropriately from end-to-end.

“It’s great to see one of Australia’s leading suppliers of stationery, technology and office supplies tackling the issue of e-waste and providing a free and easy solution for their customers and the wider community. E-waste is an important challenge that our government is seeking to address given $680 million worth of e-waste materials were sent to landfill in 2019,” concludes Assistant Minister for waste reduction and environmental management Trevor Evans.

“We commend Officeworks for its initiative through the Bring it Back campaign, and encourage all Australians to take their old equipment to their local Officeworks store around the nation to recycle and support National Recycling Week.”