Frequently Asked Questions
What do and don't you recycle?
Our main list of qualifying items (the same list shown on our homepage) is:
Laptops, desktops, iPads, tablets, servers, switches, iPhones, Android, routers, modems, set-top boxes, SCADA, GPS, IP Phones, controllers, WiFi, NAS; Game Boys, Nintendo, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, vintage Game handhelds, Wii, Nintendo Game and Watch, computer games, accessories; cameras, lenses, camera gear, stereos, amplifiers, tuners, receivers, turntables, vintage radios, Bakelite, CD players, DVD players, video players; GPU, CPU, RAM, shielded RAM, motherboards, server board, hard drives, disk drives, heat sinks, BGA chips, brown board.
Other electronics not on the list may be assessed case by case.
We can also take these add-ons with items from the main list. Add-ons don't count towards collection minimums: monitors; keyboards; mice; headsets; headphones; device chargers; cords, cables and leads; digital photo frames; blood-pressure machines (no cuff).
We can not take home appliances as they are metal scrap and require different machinery to process than our recycling partners use.
Don't see your items on our list? Contact us at support@whirlrecycling.com or call or text 0480 616 800.
IMPORTANT
We can't accept swollen batteries.
We can't take smoke detectors.
We can't take vapes, power banks, standalone battery packs or electric toothbrushes. They are basically Li batteries and can catch fire or explode in the recycling machinery. Ordinary device chargers are fine as add-ons.
We don't recycle:
TVs
Printers
Heaters
Toasters
Lamps
Vacuums, including robot vacuums
Whitegoods and other household appliances
Power banks and standalone battery packs (they are effectively loose batteries)
Lithium batteries that are separate to the devices they power (we do take the ones inside cameras, mobiles and laptops)
Devices with swollen batteries
Smoke detectors
Vapes
Electric toothbrushes
Microwaves
CRT (old box) monitors
Photocopiers
Laminators
Fridges
Washing machines
Dryers
Dishwashers
Stoves
Ovens
Exhaust fans
BBQs
Air Fryers
Oil Heaters
Large Gas Heaters
Electric Blankets
Air Conditioners
Lawnmowers
Large Machines
Vaporizers
Wooden speakers
Large lamps or floor standing lamps
Air Purifiers
Panel Heaters
Light Bulbs
Light Fittings
Loose Household Batteries (we can take the batteries in your camera, laptop, mobile and other devices that come with built-in batteries)
Video tapes
CDs
DVDs
Electric Fry Pans
Karchers or water pressure machines
Large industrial machines (bigger than a microwave)
Petrol, gas or other flammable-fueled machines
X-ray and film folders (we take the film, not the folders)
Anything with sludge, water, food, grease, fuel, animal waste or live creatures in or on it.
We handle items by hand and place them in a van. Any dirt, dust, webs, etc on the items will end up on our clothes and in our van.
How do you protect my data?
Reusable devices are normally factory reset before reuse.
For certified data-destruction requests from organisations, we use appropriate secure software erasure with Active@ KillDisk, or physical destruction, depending on the equipment and process.
Reusable hard drives and SSDs may be securely wiped and reused unless physical destruction is specifically requested.
Data-bearing components that can't be reused are physically destroyed through the smelting and material-recovery process.
Shredding is available on request and is charged. It isn't our standard process.
Some data-bearing equipment goes to our trusted downstream partners, who may carry out the data-destruction process.
Certificates of data destruction are available to organisations by prior request, free of charge. If you want device IDs or serial numbers listed, send us the list before collection.
Read more on our data security page.
Is my data safe if I can't erase my device?
Yes, you don't need to erase it yourself. We handle devices securely whether or not they can be switched on.
Devices that can be reused are normally factory reset before reuse. Data-bearing components that can't be reused are physically destroyed through the smelting and material-recovery process.
If your organisation needs physical destruction, let us know when you book. Shredding is available on request and is charged.
Organisations can request a certificate of data destruction before collection, for your audit trail. The certificate is free of charge.
While we prioritise reuse where possible, data security is paramount.
Is there a minimum requirement for collections?
Yes. For us to remain a free service, homes need at least one item from our main list. Businesses, schools, government, charities, religious and community organisations need at least five items from the same list.
Add-ons such as monitors, keyboards, mice, headsets, headphones, chargers and cables don't count towards these minimums, so we can't pick them up when booked on their own. You're welcome to bring them to our Auburn drop-off hub.
Have a good look through your cupboards before booking. You might find more to recycle.
Questions? Contact us at support@whirlrecycling.com or call or text 0480 616 800.
Which areas do you collect from?
We collect from the Sydney suburbs listed on our suburbs page. The same service area applies to homes, businesses, schools, government, charities, religious and community organisations.
If you're outside this area you can still book, and we'll review your request.
What access do you need for a collection?
We don't carry items on stairs, for homes or organisations. We need somewhere to park with at least 2m clearance; if that isn't available, items may need to be brought to our vehicle.
Palletised loads can be collected. Pallet transport may involve an agreed charge.
See how to prepare for a home pickup or a workplace collection.
You used to pick up appliances. What happened?
Without grants or some kind of consistent funding, we can't afford to pick up appliances and remain a free service. They have so little value they did not cover our costs of transport and processing.
We had to stop accepting them if we wanted to remain operating.
Is your service really free? What do you charge?
Our standard collection service is free, and so are certificates of data destruction for organisations.
In rare cases, specialised logistics such as third-party collection or pallet transport can involve an agreed charge. Shredding on request is also charged.
Eligibility, service-area and collection conditions apply. We'll always agree any charge with you first.
Why can't I just leave my items out on the verge or street? Isn't that easier?
We don't collect electronics left on the street or verge. Please keep your items on your property.
As well, metal scrappers and scavengers drive around looking for items left out and so often take them or cut their cords if they're on the verge.
Animals often pee on the items, bugs crawl into them and rain or dew leaves them wet and damaged. In the past, we have picked up items on the verge, only to find them full of bugs such as Redbacks or with animal wee on them. As such, we have made the decision not to touch anything left on the verge.
If you do not have any way to leave items on your doorstep, contact us at support@whirlrecycling.com or call or text 0480 616 800 to organise an alternative arrangement.
Can you handle large loads?
We can manage single loads of approximately 25 tonnes using our logistics partners. Larger loads require multiple trips.
What happens if I'm not there on your arrival or you can't reach our office?
You don't need to be there, as long as your items are safely accessible. If we can't find or access your items and can't reach the designated contact when we arrive, as a general rule you'll need to bring them to our Auburn drop-off hub.
As a free service, there are costs associated with picking up your items. If we have to return, then those costs are doubled. We have to be able to cover our costs to maintain a free service.
In the past, we did return but often had the same issue again.
What happens if I forget to leave my items out?
If we can't find or access your items, you'll need to bring them to our Auburn drop-off hub. As a general rule, we don't return to places where items were not left out or were left in a locked area.
As a free service, there are costs associated with picking up your items. If we have to return, then those costs are doubled. We have to be able to cover our costs to maintain a free service.
In the past, we did return but often had the same issue again.
Why don't you accept light bulbs or light fittings?
For health and safety reasons, we don't accept light bulbs or light fittings.
Do you repair things?
No, we don't repair items ourselves. Where a viable reuse pathway exists, we pass items on to people who can restore them.
Does any of it go to landfill?
The electronics we collect are reused or responsibly recycled, not sent to landfill.
We prioritise reuse wherever a viable reuse pathway exists, through our network of restorers, collectors and local small businesses.
Items that can't be reused are responsibly recycled by appropriately licensed and accredited recycling partners, for example smelted or turned into pellets to be used in manufacturing.
I changed my mind and want to get my device back. What can I do?
Once we've collected an item, as a general rule we can't return it, so please make sure you're ready to let it go before handing it over.
We collect large volumes of electronics every day. They're mixed in with so many more it is unlikely we can find yours again and give it back to you.
As well, we can't risk the chance that we accidentally give you somebody else's device and compromise their data security.
Are you a not-for-profit or a charity?
We are a for-profit, social enterprise. The money we make enables us to keep our pick up and recycling service free for the community.
All profits go towards expanding our services and keeping them free.
How can we support Whirl?
Thank you for asking!
Recycling with us is really the best way to support our operation. Sharing with your neighbours, setting up community collections, telling your workplace or school about us - these all make a huge contribution to our mission!
We also have a crowdfund page - https://ko-fi.com/whirlrecycling. These small contributions offset our fuel and toll costs and help keep our service free.