Just how green is Australia's tech?

Australians throw away a shocking 500,000–583,000 tonnes of electronic devices every year.

That's roughly 20–22 kg of e‑waste per person - nearly three times the global average. It's a staggering amount, and much of it ends up in landfill or low-value recycling, lost instead of being reused.

However, some companies are doing their best to make a difference.

"Every industry has an environmental footprint, and consumer tech is no exception. However, sustainability is at the heart of HP's mission," Olivia West, HP Sustainability Manager for the Americas, Asia Pacific & Japan, said during a recent interview.

"Specifically, we're taking decisive action to achieve net zero carbon emissions across our entire value chain and creating products and services for a more circular economy."

West explained that HP designs products for longer lifespans, uses recycled materials, and runs device reclamation programs to recover valuable components. "Designing for circularity is one of HP's core product principles," she said. "We offer certified refurbished devices and support product repair and refurbishment across global markets. Our HP Planet Partners program collects used devices in 76 countries, including Australia, to ensure responsible recycling."

"Sustainability shouldn't be a luxury," West said.

"While there can be higher costs associated with making products more sustainable, it doesn't always have to be the case. We work to make greener technology accessible, not just for environmentally conscious buyers." She noted that programs like Instant Ink and refurbished devices help reduce waste and extend product life, ensuring sustainable tech is available to everyone.

West also highlighted HP's focus on efficiency: "From 2019 through 2023, the energy consumption of our personal systems products dropped by 21% on average. This includes reductions of 33% in notebooks, 43% in workstations, and 9% in displays. Ongoing design improvements, including more efficient CPUs, panels, and power supplies, have contributed to these reductions."

The Australian government is also heavily investing in sustainable technology to reduce emissions.

It has set ambitious goals to achieve 43% emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050, with a recent target of 62–70% reduction by 2035. Key initiatives include the $500 million Powering Australia Technology Fund and investments in renewable hydrogen, solar, battery storage, and green metals through the Future Made in Australia program. In 2025, the government highlighted that renewables have overtaken coal-fired generation, marking a major milestone in the energy transition.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has been allocated $2 billion to help meet the 2035 target, while Future Made in Australia plans to invest over $22.7 billion in low-emissions industries, including green metals and battery manufacturing, to strengthen Australia's position in the global net-zero economy.

Despite these efforts, only about one-third of e‑waste is recovered.

Metals and plastics often end up in landfill or low-value recycling, representing both a waste of resources and money. Without intervention, e‑waste is expected to grow to roughly 657,000 tonnes by 2030. Even solar panels, which are key to Australia's clean energy shift, contribute to the problem. Of the 4.2 million rooftop systems installed, only a small fraction is recycled when they reach the end of their life.

Repairing devices rather than replacing them could make a huge difference, but many products are difficult to fix. Manufacturer repairability ratings are often self-reported and unverified. Experts say true sustainability requires access to spare parts, repair guides, and independent verification. Fixing a phone, laptop, or tablet can save money, cut emissions from manufacturing, and reduce the demand for raw materials.

West emphasised, "We believe the future of sustainable tech will require us to reimagine both how products are made and how they're used. We're committed to creating technology that lasts longer, is easier to repair or refurbish, and can be responsibly returned at end-of-life to reduce waste. The most powerful change happens when product responsibility is matched with environmental regeneration, like our partnership with WWF, which is helping to restore forests, protect biodiversity, and empower communities globally."

Australia's recycling system also struggles to keep up.

Much e‑waste is exported overseas because domestic facilities cannot efficiently recover metals. Lithium-ion battery waste alone is projected to rise from around 3,300 tonnes in 2025 to 136,000 tonnes by 2036 if recycling doesn't scale.

Australian startups are showing that solutions are possible. For instance, Reusably helps businesses reuse packaging, while enzymatic recycling projects in Canberra transform plastics and other materials back into new products. Together, these efforts demonstrate how local innovation can close material loops even when mainstream supply chains fall short.

Cost remains a major hurdle because devices designed to last longer or made with recycled materials often carry higher prices, making them less accessible to the average consumer.

Experts argue that durable, affordable green technology must become the standard, not just a premium option for environmentally conscious buyers.

Policy reform is equally critical. Current e‑waste laws mostly focus on recycling at the end of a product's life and do little to encourage repair, durable design, or corporate accountability. Proposed measures include mandatory repairability ratings, expanded stewardship programs, and incentives for reuse, but without systemic change, the burden continues to fall on consumers.

There are, however, some bright spots in Australia's energy transition.

Renewables now supply 40 - 43 % of the country's electricity, household battery use is increasing rapidly, and A$12.7 billion was invested in 2024 to support solar, wind, and storage.

Yet, the tech sector still requires urgent action.

Companies must produce longer-lasting devices and make repair genuinely accessible, while governments enforce circular design policies and hold manufacturers accountable. Consumers, in turn, need information, incentives, and affordable options to make greener choices.

West added, "It's not just about owning fewer things - it's about creating a model where every product contributes to something better. By leveraging science and innovation and working with local communities, we hope to create lasting change for people, climate, and nature."

Only when corporate responsibility, policy reform, and consumer action align can Australia move beyond incremental improvements and build a truly sustainable tech sector - one that keeps resources in use, cuts waste, and reduces the country's environmental footprint.