From classrooms to corporate offices, Australians are generating more electronic waste (e‑waste) than ever before. The rapid pace of device upgrades, coupled with disposable tech culture, has transformed old phones, laptops, ink cartridges, chargers and more into a mounting environmental challenge. Hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium and flame retardants commonly found in electronics can leach into soil and water when improperly discarded, and precious resources such as gold, copper, aluminum, and rare‑earth metals are wasted when devices aren’t responsibly processed. Enter Officeworks E Waste, the flagship circular‑economy initiative offering a simple, free and accessible solution to tech trash across Australia. Operating under the “Bring it Back” program, Officeworks E Waste gives individuals and businesses an easy way to drop off a wide range of electronic items at more than 140 stores nationwide. Together with pop‑up events, business recycling boxes, stationery reuse streams, and partnerships across the recycling ecosystem, Officeworks E Waste has already diverted over 11,000 tonnes of unwanted products from landfill since its 2015 launch . This article explores how Officeworks E Waste works, what can (and cannot) be recycled, the behind‑the‑scenes process, environmental and social benefits, engagement with communities and businesses, limitations faced today, and where the program is headed in the future. It also includes practical tips for readers seeking to participate effectively. Origins & Growth of the Officeworks E Waste Program Officeworks E Waste began in 2015 with the in‑store “Bring it Back” recycling initiative. Its goal was to empower Australians to responsibly dispose of small tech items—laptops, ink cartridges, chargers, pens and markers—free of charge. Early adoption was promising, but the program truly grew when recycling stations were installed in front of over 140 Officeworks stores, making drop‑off intuitive and visible As the program matured, Officeworks E Waste began to accept a broader variety of items. By rolling out battery recycling and a pens & markers stream (via community partners like BIC, Stationery Aid, Give Write and TerraCycle), the company offered more ways to reuse or repurpose everyday office waste—not just recycle it Large‑scale public engagement was boosted through People & Planet Pop Up Days. Events held across states such as Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia collected up to 933 kg of e‑waste in a single day, plus 18 kg of batteries—all outside the standard store system . These high‑profile events raised awareness while diverting tech trash from landfill. In November 2024, Officeworks E Waste further evolved with the launch of Bring it Back for Business. Initially rolled out in Victoria, the program allows businesses to order recycling boxes, fill them onsite, arrange courier pickup, and receive a detailed environmental impact report—offering scalability and documentation for corporate sustainability goals. What You Can Recycle Through Officeworks E Waste Officeworks E Waste accepts a versatile range of small to medium electronic items and stationery. Here’s what you can drop off: Mobile phones and tablets Laptops, desktops, monitors and accessories (e.g. keyboards, mice, hard drives) Chargers, power banks, USB cables and related power accessories Ink and toner cartridges Batteries (AA, AAA, 9 V, rechargeable) Writing instruments: pens, markers, crayons, textas—via school‑focused reuse programs Officeworks E Waste does not accept: Large appliances (microwaves, fridges, washers) CRT TVs or large monitors Car or industrial batteries Hazardous chemicals or broken lithium‑ion batteries Fluorescent light bulbs or other restricted items Devices with damaged batteries (bulging cells, smoking, leaking) may be refused for safety reasons. The easiest way to confirm acceptability is to ask store staff or check online ahead of time. How the Recycling Workflow Operates Using Officeworks E Waste is hassle‑free: Gather your eligible e‑waste: phones, chargers, ink, pens, batteries, etc. Visit any Officeworks store—no appointment or purchase required. Locate the recycling station at store entrance and drop off your items. Staff can assist if needed Solutions Items are collected in bulk by Officeworks and sent to certified recycling partners such as TechCollect, Mobile Muster, Close the Loop and Planet Ark’s Cartridges 4 Planet Ark Behind the scenes, partners sort the materials. Batteries are detached, circuit boards shredded, metals and plastics sorted. Storage devices are either wiped or physically destroyed to safeguard data. Where possible, components are reused or materials reclaimed for new manufacturing. Business program items follow a more controlled path: boxes are weighed, items tracked and recycled, then a report is issued showing tonnes recycled and carbon emissions avoided—meeting corporate reporting and ESG standards. Environmental, Social & Economic Impact Since 2015, Officeworks E Waste has diverted more than 11,000 tonnes of products from landfill, combining recycling and repurposing efforts. Notably, in fiscal year 2022 alone, over 1,650 tonnes were collected—representing a 12 % increase over the previous year despite COVID disruptions. That year more than 2.5 million AA batteries and 1.3 million writing instruments were recycled or reused through customer and school programs. The benefits are tangible: Landfill diversion: reducing waste sent to landfill, lowering soil and water contamination risks. Resource recovery: reclaiming finite materials like gold, copper, aluminum, rare‑earth elements, reducing demand for new mining and lowering emissions. Carbon savings: manufacturing via recycled materials yields significantly lower energy and carbon footprint than using virgin materials. Social impact: collaborations with Stationery Aid and Give Write redirect usable stationery to students in need—enabling educational access while reducing waste. Economic activity: supporting recycling jobs, refurbishing operations (e.g. World’s Biggest Garage Sale for furniture), and engaging local communities in environmental awareness. Officeworks E Waste is part of the broader People & Planet Positive strategy—its circular economy pillar aims to repair, repurpose or recycle 17,000 tonnes of unwanted goods by 2025. As of mid‑2025, more than 7,000 tonnes have already been processed How Communities and Businesses Engage Community Pop‑Up Events The People & Planet Pop Up Days bring recycling outreach into public spaces. In 2025, Officeworks hosted at least five pop‑up events—in Fitzroy, Belrose, Windsor, Prospect, and O’Connor. Fitzroy’s event alone collected nearly 1 tonne of e‑waste plus 18 kg of batteries in a single day These events not only enhance visibility of Officeworks E Waste, but make recycling more accessible to residents who may not otherwise visit a store. Business Recycling via Bring it Back for Business Launched in late 2024, the Bring it Back for Business service allows companies to order branded recycling boxes, fill them onsite, and arrange pickup. Initially available in Victoria, the rollout is expanding nationally in 2025 Businesses receive: Detailed impact reporting and weight data Secure handling of potentially sensitive devices Improved sustainability reporting for ESG compliance Hassle‑free logistics via courier pickup This service addresses limitations of the standard program for organizations that generate larger volumes or require traceability. Education & Awareness Initiatives Officeworks E Waste is supported by educational content and partnerships. The company works with Planet Ark’s Cartridges 4 Planet Ark, Mobile Muster, TechCollect and school networks to provide recycling education and collection systems in schools and community centres Officeworks promotes awareness through its website blogs and guides covering topics like how to recycle at home, what items are accepted, or how to reset and wipe data before dropping off devices These tools empower individuals and organizations to make informed choices, improving participation and reducing technical misunderstanding. Challenges & Limitations Despite its success, Officeworks E Waste has constraints: Scope limitation: the program is designed for small electronics, stationery, and accessories. It doesn’t accept large appliances, TVs, enterprise equipment, hazardous components or oversized batteries. Those items must be recycled via other specialist services. Data security: while small devices are collected, drop‑off bins are public; there’s no automated data destruction traceability unless using the business service. Individuals must wipe devices manually. Coverage gaps: regional or remote regions of Australia may have limited access to Officeworks stores or pop‑up events. Awareness gaps: many Australians remain unaware of the service or unsure what items are acceptable. Behavioural inertia can limit participation. Volume compared to national e‑waste: although 11,000 tonnes is sizable, total e‑waste generated nationally is far larger; collection rates remain below what’s needed to achieve circular economy goals. Vision & Future Directions Looking ahead, Officeworks E Waste aims to scale and evolve: National rollout of Bring it Back for Business, beyond Victoria, targeting all states by late 2025. Expansion of pop‑up recycling days to underserved or remote regions. Enhanced data tracking and transparency in recycling streams. Greater integration with Officeworks’ circular economy goals under its People & Planet Positive strategy—including repair, reuse, trade-in services and partnering with Circonomy (the World’s Biggest Garage Sale initiative) to refurbish damaged items before recycling. Innovation in consumer incentives: possible future ideas include digital reminders, reward systems or educational gamification to increase drop‑off frequency. Collaboration with local councils and government on e‑waste legislation, product stewardship, and infrastructure support. These moves align with Officeworks’ broader aims of achieving net‑zero emissions by 2030, sourcing renewable energy across stores, and embedding sustainability into operations and products. How You Can Participate: Practical Advice Whether you’re an individual, household or business, here’s how to get involved with Officeworks E Waste: Audit your tech: gather old phones, tablets, chargers, cables, ink cartridges, batteries or pens and markers that are no longer in use. Manually wipe personal devices before recycling—especially mobiles, laptops and USB drives. Locate your nearest store using the Officeworks recycling locator online. No appointment is needed. Fill business recycling boxes via the Bring it Back for Business portal, and schedule courier pickup if eligible. Don’t default to landfill: for items not accepted by Officeworks, find alternate e‑waste drop‑off points, local council facilities or specialist recycling centers. Support reuse when possible: donate functional devices to schools, charities or second‑hand vendors first. Encourage peers by sharing information about the program, explaining what items are accepted, and leading by example. Engage community groups to host local pop‑up collection events, especially in regions with limited access. Conclusion In a fast‑evolving digital world, managing electronic waste responsibly is not optional—it’s imperative. Officeworks E Waste offers an accessible, visible, and credible solution—no cost, no appointment required, and multiple ways for both individuals and businesses to contribute. From tech devices to writing implements and stationery, the program tackles many common sources of household and office waste. By diverting more than 11,000 tonnes from landfill, providing circular‑economy education and reuse pathways, supporting sustainable school initiatives, and enabling corporate recycling with impact reporting, Officeworks E Waste demonstrates how retail can integrate environmental leadership into everyday operations. While limitations remain, and national e‑waste volumes continue to rise, the ongoing expansion and evolution of this program position it as one of Australia’s leading solutions for reducing tech trash. Whether dropping off a single charger or coordinating a business office disposal, choosing Officeworks E Waste means choosing a smarter, greener future.