As we’re all heading back to work, many of us will be looking at having a clear out. Old office equipment, dead batteries, outdated, faulty or no longer needed equipment and furniture could all be headed for their forever homes.

EPA Victoria wants to make sure that when you are disposing of those items, they go to the right place.

“There’s no excuse for illegally dumping unwanted items. You’re just trying to make the cost of disposal the community’s problem,” said EPA Acting CEO Suzy Neilan.

“Batteries can become a fire hazard. They should never be mixed in with general waste. Old electrical equipment is e-waste;  that’s anything with a battery, plug or power cord, like televisions, computers, mobile phones, kitchen appliances, whitegoods, and solar panels, and has valuable components that can be recycled,” Ms Neilan said.

“Furniture could have a future still, depending on its condition, and a word with your local charity shop will help decide,” she said.

If you are running a collection facility, e-waste and processed e-waste materials must be handled and stored with due care to reduce fire risk and avoid leakage which could release hazardous substances into the air, water or soil.

“And our charity shops only need items they can resell. They’re not dumping grounds and EPA can fine you if you try to use them that way,” Ms Neilan said.

For more information about e-waste disposal go to epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-a-topic/manage-e-waste/about-ewaste or ask your local council.

For more information on battery disposal go to Australia’s official battery stewardship scheme - B-cycle