E-waste refers to discarded electronic equipment including computers, monitors, printers, servers, circuit boards, and telecommunications gear. These items contain a mix of recoverable metals — copper in wiring and circuit board traces, aluminium in heat sinks, steel in casings, and small quantities of gold, silver, and palladium on circuit board contacts. E-waste must be processed by specialist recyclers who can safely separate the valuable metals from hazardous components like batteries, capacitors, and mercury-containing displays. In Auckland, e-waste volumes are growing as technology refresh cycles shorten. Check with your recycler about which electronic items they accept.