The Essential Guide to E-Waste Recycling and How to Dispose of Your E-Waste Responsibly

What is considered e-waste?

E-waste (short for electronic waste) includes any electrical or electronic equipment that’s broken, obsolete, or unwanted. Common categories for homes and offices include:

Small Electronics

• Mobile phones & tablets

• Laptops, desktops, netbooks/notebooks

• Keyboards, mice, cables & chargers

• Printers & scanners

• Routers, modems, hubs

• Portable music players, handheld devices

Displays & Entertainment

• Monitors (LCD, LED, CRT)

• TVs & set-top boxes

• DVD/Blu-ray players

• Gaming consoles & controllers

• Speakers & small audio systems

Appliances & Tools

• Microwaves & small kitchen appliances like toasters & kettles

• Electric drills, hairdryers & grooming devices

• Electric fans, heaters & irons

Office-Specific Items

• Servers & networking equipment

• Fax machines & copiers

• Photocopiers & shredders

• Projectors & peripheral devices

Battery & Power Items

• Backup batteries (UPS)

• Laptop batteries, phone batteries

• Power banks & adapters

• Power strips & surge protectors

 Large Household Appliances

• Refrigerators & freezers

• Washing machines & tumble dryers

• Dishwashers

• Ovens & electric stoves

• Air-conditioners

• Large heaters

All devices with a plug, cord, battery, electronic board, or that require electricity/batteries are generally e-waste when disposed of.

Electronic waste items

Why is it important to recycle your e-waste?

Recycling e-waste is important for environmental, health, and economic reasons:

Environmental protection

Electronic devices contain toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. If dumped in landfills, these can leach into soil and groundwater, polluting ecosystems as well as drinking water.

Human health

Informal or improper disposal (burning or dismantling) releases toxic fumes and dust, which are linked to respiratory illness, neurological damage, and developmental problems.

Resource recovery

E-waste contains valuable materials like copper, aluminium, gold, silver, and rare earth elements. Recycling reduces the need for mining, which lowers energy use, habitat destruction, and carbon emissions.

Waste reduction & climate benefits

Electronics are a rapidly growing waste stream due to technological advancements and shorter product life cycles. Improper disposal of e-waste with hazardous materials harms the environment. Recycling e-waste is essential to reduce landfill pressure, harmful emissions, and the need for new resources. Effective recycling is crucial for combating climate change and ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.

Economic & social benefits

Formal e-waste recycling supports green jobs, promotes safer working conditions, and helps build a circular economy where products and materials stay in use longer.

In short: Recycling e-waste protects people, conserves resources, and reduces environmental harm.

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Examples of e-waste

Tips Before Recycling

• Whenever possible, try to repair or repurpose items before recycling them.

• Call ahead to confirm they accept your specific e-waste (e.g., batteries, screens, large appliances).

• Remove personal data from phones/PCs before recycling.

• Use eWASA-recommended recyclers or municipal facilities to ensure proper handling under South African e-waste regulations.

Where to Take E-Waste for Recycling

Gqeberha (Eastern Cape)

Here are local waste & recycling outlets that may accept e-waste (call ahead to confirm what they take and their hours):

Drop-off/Recycling Options for E-Waste

• Pick n Pay Hypermarket (William Moffett Shopping Centre) - Features an e-waste bin at the entrance for small to medium-sized items.

• Incredible Connection (Walmer Park Shopping Centre) - Drop-off point for electronic waste

• E.P Waste Management – Waste management service that accepts electronic waste for processing. Based in Newton Park.

• Alurite is a recycling facility located in Deal Party, focused on the responsible management of e-waste. They accept various electronic items but exclude "whites" These "household whites" are large, heavy electrical appliances traditionally finished in white enamel, although now available in different colours.

• e-waste Technologies Africa - A recognised e-waste recycler, based in Deal Party

Ethan Fourie, known as The Recycling Kid, supporting Kabega Primary School's e-waste collection initiative at the Pick'n Pay - William Moffett e-waste bin in Gqeberha.

Cape Town (Western Cape)

Municipal & Public Recycling Drop-offs

• City Of Cape Town Recycling Drop-off Facility – Wynberg drop-off with recycling including e-waste (contact the City to confirm acceptance).

• Woodstock Drop Off Facility, Cape Town – Local recycling depot.

• Sea Point Dropoff – Solid waste recycling depot (often accepts small electronics).

• Kommetjie Waste Drop-off – A municipal recycling point.

Private/Independent Recyclers

• AST Recycling Cape Town – Established e-waste recycling centre, located in Epping

• Newtech E-waste Recycling (Drop & collect) – Drop-off and collection service for electronic waste, located in Elsies Industria

• Retreat Recycling And Waste Drop-off – Community recycling location in Cafda Village

• E-Waste Pan-Cat SA – Small electronics recycling specialist, based in Montague Gardens

• Cape E Waste – E-waste recycling service in Brackenfell South

• E-Waste Buddies – E-waste drop-off facilitation centre in Pinelands

• Virgin Earth E-Waste Recycling – Specialist e-waste recycler in Cape Town area, including Somerset West, Stellenbosch, and the CBD..

• Harris Electronic Waste (Pty) Ltd. (Montague Gardens) – Recycling centre

Many municipal recycling drop-offs accept small e-waste like phones, laptops, cables and small appliances — call them first as policies vary.

How your old gadgets impact the environment (YouTube)

Johannesburg (Gauteng)

E-Waste Recycling Locations

• AST Recycling – Major e-waste recycling centre in Johannesburg.

• Elvis E-waste Recycling – Waste management and e-waste recycling service.

In Johannesburg, there are certified drop-off points and recycling facilities where you can take phones, laptops, appliances, batteries and more. In addition to dedicated recyclers, large retail stores like Pick n Pay Hypermarkets have e-waste bins/containers at some locations where consumers can drop off small electronics for collection.

Other regions

If you reside outside these three regions, it is advisable to search online for "e-waste recyclers near me." Not every town has an e-waste recycling facility. As a community, you could gather e-waste from interested parties and, during your next trip near a recycling center, drop off the items for recycling. If your town lacks e-waste recycling options, consider addressing this issue with your local municipality, as disposing of e-waste in landfills is illegal.

Repair - Reuse - Repurpose - Recycle