Boroondara residents recycled an unprecedented amount of computer parts last year, three times as much as was disposed of in 2010.

During the most recent hard-rubbish collection period – between 24 October and 18 November 2011 – Council collected more than 143 tonnes of computer equipment, a significant increase from the 55 tonnes picked up in 2010.

Mayor of Boroondara, Councillor Heinz Kreutz praised local residents for their commitment to Council's e-waste recycling service.

"It is very pleasing to see so many residents making use of Council's e-waste recycling service, which is designed to reduce the amount of computer equipment going to landfill," Cr Kreutz said.

"If not disposed of correctly, the toxic compounds found in such devices can also have a detrimental impact on our natural environment.

"In addition to this, by recycling and reusing computer parts, we go a long way to reducing our reliance on mining for finite metal resources.

"I encourage all residents to dispose of their unwanted computer parts in an environmentally-friendly and responsible manner, because every little bit counts."

Boroondara residents need not wait for their next hard-rubbish collection to recycle their unwanted computer parts as Council runs a free, year-round e-waste service at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre in Riversdale Road, Camberwell.

This recycling service will accept desktop computers, laptops, monitors, scanners, printers and photocopiers, computer mice, keyboards, circuit boards, disk and DVD/CD drives.

For more information about discarding computer parts and the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre opening hours, visit our e-waste page.