New Zealand generates between 80,000 to 99,000 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) annually, equating to about 20kg per person, among the highest globally. Shockingly, only 2% of this e-waste gets recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills—a stark contrast to other developed nations.
A 2024 survey highlighted that 61% of New Zealand businesses improperly dispose of their e-waste, and 45% are unsure how to recycle it correctly. Moreover, just 25% of businesses have formal e-waste disposal policies, and 44% lack any corporate sustainability policies.
Despite recent improvements, including a new recycling facility aiming to process 5,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, more actions are needed.
Let’s advocate for repairing, reusing, and recycling our tech gadgets to build a sustainable future for New Zealand. Each step towards responsible e-waste management contributes to conserving resources and protecting our environment.
Want to know what to do with your old phones, computers and tablets?