Australia Post has partnered with TechCollect to make it even easier for Australians to dispose of e-waste responsibly. Under the new scheme, old mobile phones and computers can be bagged up and posted from anywhere in the country.

Australians are some of the world's highest consumers of technology and e-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the country. E-waste is growing three times faster than general waste with around 554,000 tonnes of electronic and electrical waste generated in Australia every year.

What's more, research suggests Australians hoard our e-waste instead of recycling it. The good news is that it is now easier than ever before to clear out that drawer of vintage Nokia 3310s, defunct USBs and old keyboards.

E-waste recycler TechCollect has partnered with Australia Post to launch a nationwide TechExpress service for the disposal of unwanted electrical goods and devices. For a flat rate of $14.95, you can post up to 22kg of e-waste including: laptop and desktop computers, mice, power supplies, cables, keyboards, computer batteries, modems, mobile phones USBs and storage devices.

To protect your privacy, don't forget to delete your data before you send your e-waste away. For detailed instructions on how to wipe your data, visit the this TechCollect webpage.

TechCollect already has over 276 e-waste drop-off locations around the country. MobileMuster also offers a free mobile phone and accessory recycling service through Australia Post. Plus, printer cartridges can be recycled through our Cartridges 4 Planet Ark program. (Head to Recycling Near You to find out more about these services and locate local drop-off points.)

However, the new TechExpress service will make it easy for people living in regional and rural areas to recycle e-waste.

"With majority of our post office network regionally-based, our partnership with TechCollect builds on research that shows three-quarters of regional and rural residents see their post office as making a broader social contribution beyond providing products and services," Australia Post's chief sustainability office Susan Mizrahi explained.

"The opportunity to recycle this rapidly growing waste stream is another way we can connect with and support our rural and regional customers, particularly those who cannot access the current metropolitan collection points."

So how does it work? Simply package your e-waste in a post bag or box, visit the TechCollect website to complete and print a shipping label, and finally, attach it to your parcel. The package can then be dropped off in any Australia Post box or post office.

Positive Environment News has been compiled using publicly available information. Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.