Arnies Recon gives old tech devices a second life

A Sydney business is helping residents gift gadgets in a guilt-free and sustainable way as the holiday season approaches.

Arnies Recon gives old tech devices a second life to avoid them going to landfills or the home gadget graveyard.

CEO Lisa Saunders says the company offers free electronics recycling to homes and businesses, providing a more responsible way to rehome old tech devices when replacing them. She says she wants Sydneysiders to stop thinking of it as "e-Waste" and let Arnies Recon give it a second life.

"Recycling saves old devices from being dumped into landfill or confined to a drawer for just-in-case. People can give their old devices and tech a second life while enjoying their new gadgets without guilt.

"We find people who refurbish and reuse the items as they are or as parts to make whole units. We even locate collectors in Australia and overseas who are excited by retro electronics and want to own or restore old items with nostalgic value."

Statistics show that 88% of the four million computers and three million TVs purchased in Australia every year will end up in landfill, contributing to the 140,000+ tonnes of electronic waste generated by Australians every year. 

Many people are unsure what to do with their old devices besides hoarding them in their gadget graveyard or throwing them out. 
 
Fewer than 1% of TVs and around 10% of PCs and laptops are recycled, even though 98% of their components can be. 

Saunders says Arnies Recon was founded on the premise that people can enjoy their gadgets and then give them a second chance when they are done. They offer their recycling services to a variety of consumers, businesses, government organisations and schools.

So far, the company has saved over 4.7 thousand tonnes of appliances and electronics from landfill. It has evolved into one of the world's most sophisticated, holistic and comprehensive recycling models, deploying ten distinct recycling methods, resulting in over 85 product lines.

"It is certainly the case with tech devices that one persons trash is another persons treasure and people can feel less guilty about replacing their old tech devices with the knowledge that they will be given a second life," says Saunders.

Once Arnies Recon receives an electronic device, the team try to find the most efficient way to recycle it. They'll find new homes for the items as they are; this could include collectors or refurbishers who recycle with the lowest footprint possible. Saunders says this is beneficial for both the old and new consumers, as there is less guilt involved as the product is being recycled and providing enjoyment for more people.

"Recycling saves old devices from being dumped into landfill or confined to a drawer for just-in-case. People can give their old devices and tech a second life while enjoying their new gadgets without guilt, she says.

"We find people who refurbish and reuse the items as they are or as parts to make whole units. We even locate collectors in Australia and overseas who are excited by retro electronics and want to own or restore old items with nostalgic value."

To make it easy for consumers to drop off their small electronics and cables to be recycled, the company organises community collections.

Arnies Recon has also partnered with Westfield to provide collection days at some of its shopping centres around Sydney, starting with Bondi Junction, Chatswood and Warringah malls. Saunders says this will expand to other locations in 2023.