FAQ

  • Who is running Byteback?

    • Sustainability Victoria is running Byteback in partnership with the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) and founding partners Apple, Canon, Dell, Epson, Fujitsu, Fuji-Xerox, HP, IBM, Lenovo, and Lexmark. Building on the initial Byteback trial that was started in 2005 by Sustainability Victoria and Hewlett-Packard in Camberwell, Victoria, Byteback will expand to include nine Victorian sites.

  • Why has Byteback been set up?

    • Byteback has been set up to allow people to dispose of unwanted computer equipment responsibly.  Byteback is an Australian first because it represents a shared responsibility approach for government, industry and consumers.

  • How was Byteback developed?

    • Byteback started in June 2005 in Camberwell, Victoria, on the initiative of Sustainability Victoria and Hewlett-Packard. It is now expanding to cover more sites and is run in partnership with the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) and nine other industry partners.

  • Which is the closest Byteback site to me?

    • Visit the Byteback locations page

  • Who can use Byteback?

    • Byteback is a free service for Victoria residents and small businesses.

  • What can I take to Byteback?

    • You can take up to 10 items from computer systems, including desktops, laptops, computer mice, monitors, printers, scanners, multifunction printers, keyboards, computer power supplies, printed circuit boards, motherboards, network cards, disk and CD drives.

  • Are there any limits to what I can take to Byteback?

    • Yes, there is a limit of 10 items and they must be from desktops, laptops, computer mice, monitors, printers, scanners, multifunction printers, keyboards, computer power supplies, printed circuit boards, motherboards, network cards, disk and CD drives.

    Items not accepted by Byteback include joysticks, game consoles, electronic games, software, digital cameras, electronic equipment, TVs, videos, hi-fi equipment, mobile phones, printer cartridges and copiers.

  • There are no Byteback sites near me. If I can't get to a Byteback site what other options do I have?

    • If you cannot get to one of our site locations, or have a larger stockpile of equipment that you no longer want please consider other options to dispose of those products in a responsible way. Sustainability Victoria has a search engine on their website to find recycling services ('Find a Service'). Planet Ark have also developed a useful site with recycling information, www.recyclingnearyou.com.au.

  • My business has a larger pile of computer equipment. If I can't use Byteback, what other options do I have?

    • If you have a larger pile of computer equipment that is no longer needed, and you want to dispose of it in an environmentally-responsible way, please search for an appropriate service on the Sustainability Victoria website.

    Planet Ark have also developed a useful site with recycling information, www.recyclingnearyou.com.au.

  • How much does it cost?

    • Byteback is free to the public and small businesses.

  • Why do computers need to be recycled?

    • Australians are great users of computers and as a result we generate considerable amounts of end-of-life computer equipment.  Byteback aims to keep this unwanted equipment out of landfill and recovers materials thorough environmentally-responsible recycling.

  • How much of a problem is computer waste?

    • Research undertaken in 2005 estimates that there are approximately 14 million computer and related peripherals items in Victorian households. In the order of 11 per cent of these are not in use or not working and hence are candidates for recycling. The good news is that a large percentage of old computer and printers can be recycled, thus saving valuable resources including precious metals which can be re-used.

  • Where do the computers received by Byteback go?
  • Why is Byteback only in Victoria?

    • Byteback has been developed by Sustainability Victoria in conjunction with computer manufacturers Apple, Canon, Dell, Epson, Fujitsu, Fuji-Xerox, HP, IBM, Lenovo, and Lexmark and the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA). It is hoped that this model will form the basis of a national framework for the responsible disposal of computer waste.

  • How long will the Byteback trial last?

    • Byteback will run until the end of 2008.  Learnings from Byteback will help the industry prepare for a national approach to disposing of computer equipment responsibly.

  • Why does Byteback conclude at the end of 2008?

    • Byteback will be constantly measured and assessed to identify the best methods of computer waste disposal.  Learnings from Byteback will help the industry prepare for a national approach to disposing of computer equipment responsibly.

  • Can I take my TV, microwave, fridge and washing machine to Byteback?

    • No. Byteback is for computer equipment, with industry partners covering the cost of transporting and recycling their own branded material.  For information about disposing of whitegoods and electronic equipment, please contact your local council.

  • Why does Byteback cover computers and printers but not televisions or small electronic appliances?

    • Byteback represents a shared responsibility approach to disposing of unwanted computer equipment and the program’s industry partners - Apple, Canon, Dell, Epson, Fujitsu, Fuji-Xerox, HP, IBM, Lenovo, and Lexmark – cover the cost of transporting and recycling their own branded material.  It is hoped this model will be also be adopted by other industries.

  • Do I need to do anything to my old computer equipment before I bring it to Byteback?
    • Save or delete any important documents or files prior to recycling.
    • If your equipment is still working, consider donating it to a friend, relative or charity who could use it.
    • Plan ahead when recycling old computer equipment. Ensure plenty of room in which to operate and, where possible, ask somebody to help you
    • Always observe safe lifting procedures when lifting heavy computer equipment. This means using leg muscles, not your back.
    • Before moving equipment, ensure that there is no broken glass or sharp, protruding objects
    • When transporting, pack equipment safely and closely together, ensuring that screens and monitors are not packed face-down. Use padding or old blankets to reduce the chance of breakages en route.
  • Are all brands of IT equipment accepted?

    • Yes. Simply take your unwanted IT equipment to your nearest Byteback collection site during operating hours.

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