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: 

Officeworks E Waste does not accept: 

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: 

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: 

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