Recycling matters to us
Recycling matters
Our goal is to re-use, recycle, repair, or donate one smart device for every two sold, by 2030.
Give your old device a second life
Watch: Second Life Sounds | Behind the Scenes
Imagine your old devices could do more than just sit in a drawer? Created with iconic Australian duo The Avalanches, Second Life Sounds has given e‑waste a second life through the creation of a one‑off synth, built from 80% e-waste.
00:00 The creation of the synthesiser from e-waste
Audio: A snappy, percussive track plays.
Footage: A cracked old smartphone on a grey background.
The phone is replaced by older phones in a match cut, as well as remotes and other electronic devices.
A dark room with an artistic pile of e-waste.
Text: Every day, mountains of e-waste end up in landfill.
Footage: An old smartphone flickers to life with a soundwave onscreen.
An oscilloscope lights up with a moving green waveform.
Text: We’re giving old devices a second life in partnership with Eco E-Waste.
Footage: A flat lay image of circuit boards, and other deconstructed e-waste components.
A hand enters frame at high speed and begins to remove the E-waste.
A montage of e-waste components being desoldered.
Circuits are removed with tweezers.
An eye checks an e-waste component, magnified by a microscope.
E-waste components are reassembled in a new circuit board.
Metal wires are soldered and reattached to a circuit board.
A needle moves on a voltage meter, the reading 8.033 volts.
Liquid metal is soldered, a wire is clipped with pliers.
A screw is loosened on the corner of an old phone.
A dial is turned on an oscilloscope.
The oscilloscope displays a green waveform.
Code is written on a screen.
A waveform blossoms on an old smartphone screen.
Wires are plugged into components on a circuit board.
Red lights illuminate on the circuit board.
A mess of wires is enclosed inside an orange wooden box.
The lid is closed.
A screwdriver tightens screws on the corners of the box.
A power cable is plugged into the back of the box.
A silver switch is turned from off to on
An orange synthesiser revolves around on a plinth and is lit with a spotlight.
0:37 The Avalanches play the synthesiser
Text: Second life sounds
Footage: A hand twists a knob labelled ‘cutoff’.
The Avalanches hit buttons on the synthesiser.
A pile of e-waste on the ground.
Text: A synthesiser made from reclaimed e-waste.
Footage: The Avalanches stand atop of a white garbage truck playing the synthesiser.
The Avalanches twist knobs on the synthesiser.
Text: Created with The Avalanches
Audio: Close up of The Avalanches twisting knobs on the synthesiser.
Wide shot of The Avalanches on top of a white garbage truck, with e-waste spilling out of it.
A pile of e-waste on the ground.
Text: Our goal is to re-use, recycle, repair or donate one smart device for every two sold, by 2030.
Footage: A strobelight flashes, held by one of the Avalanches.
The strobe flashes again on the side of a white garbage truck.
Telstra logo.
Recycle your old device in store
Recycle with Telstra’s e-cycle program. Bring your old device to your nearest Telstra store for safe, secure and responsible recycling.
You can now recycle these devices at your nearest Telstra store:
- Mobiles and tablets
- Mobile batteries and chargers
- Mobile wireless internet devices
- Mobile accessories
- Modems and Routers
- Home phones
- Smart watches and fitness trackers
- VR headsets and accessories
- Telstra TV set top boxes
- Power supply unit for Telstra Smart Modems
What to do before recycling your old device
Be safe, delete all your personal data
Make sure all data is permanently wiped from your device before it’s picked up or dropped off. The recycling process doesn’t include data wiping, only destruction.
-
Back up your data
Save anything important before resetting.
-
Factory reset
Removes personal data and signs you out of your accounts.
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Remove your SIM
SIM and memory cards can store personal data.
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Recycle your device
Take it to a Telstra e-cycle collection point.
Turn your old device into credit
Another great way to help the planet (and earn some extra bill credit) is to trade in your pre-loved phone, tablet or smartwatch. We'll give you an estimate of what your old phone is worth, and if it's eligible for the program, we'll add credit to your bill.
Trade-in powered by Assurant. Eligible device and Telstra service required.
Recycling news
Environment
Second Life Sounds is a musical reimagining of environmental sustainability.
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