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Computer Hard Drives and Casings

Computer Hard Drives and Casings

Updated 5 March 2018 12:52 PM
It is important to recycle computers responsibly, as they contain toxic and hazardous waste products. Computer parts should never be placed in your household bin. 

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme will take your computer hard drives and casings and computer products (such as keyboards, monitors, mice and hard drives) for recycling. The scheme will take your device regardless of the brand and no matter how old they are. Officeworks, Harvey Norman and Domayne are the main drop off centres. 

Australian Federal Parliament passed legislation called Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in 2011 in line with the same ruling in Europe and other countries. Companies who manufacture or import computers and TVs must recycle end-of-life products and meet stringent guidelines.

Before you recycle your computer, remember to move and/ or delete everything off your computer before you dispose of it.
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Science Notes
Hard disc ‘platters’ are typically made of aluminium or glass deposited on ceramic substrate. This surface is coated with an amorphous alloy of nickel and phosphorous (NiP) which allows the disc to be polished to high smoothness. 

Lead, cadmium, mercury, beryllium and chlorine are just a few of the dangerous elements contained within a hard drive. All are recyclable and some very valuable. Other valuable raw materials can also be extracted for reuse from a hard drive, including gold, copper, nickel, iron and silicon.

Related Tip
Recycle any of your unused or broken e waste items when recycling your old computer. Mobile phones, speakers, DVD players or game consoles not in use can either be passed on to another person or taken to e waste recyclers.

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