Where does it go?Everything has somewhere to go.It did not pile up overnight. One thing at a time.

Everything has somewhere to go.

Once you've decided to get rid of it, where does it actually go?

The short answer

As at September 2026, where it goes depends on your state. E-waste is banned from landfill in South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, and belongs in no kerbside bin. Every state and territory pays 10c on drink containers; eligibility differs. Supermarket soft-plastics bins exist in some states, not WA, NT or Tasmania. Batteries, paint and medicines have one national answer.

Sources SA e-waste ban (EPA SA)VIC e-waste ban (vic.gov.au)WA e-waste ban (wa.gov.au)Woolworths: soft plastics recycling program

The hard part of decluttering isn't deciding to do it. It's the pile by the front door that nobody knows what to do with. Choose your state.

Where do I start?

What changes at the state border?

All eight Australian states and territories run a 10 cent container deposit scheme, but they started decades apart and cover different containers. E-waste is banned from landfill in South Australia (2013), Victoria (2019) and Western Australia (1 July 2024). Everywhere, it belongs in no kerbside bin, and each state page gives its drop-off route. Bin lids, verge collections and hazardous waste programs are set by councils and states, not Canberra.

Choose your state for the rules that apply there. For verge dates, bin schedules and fees, use the linked council service because those details change each year.

What do the tools do?

Check your state and council rules before anything reaches the kerb.