Disposing computer equipment and e-waste

Working desktops, laptops and monitors that have any saleable value can be resold and proceeds returned to the organisational unit. Devices that are not working or have no resale value should be e-wasted.

Step 1: Submit an IT request

To begin the computer disposal process, the respective organisational unit must submit an IT request and include:

• Number of computers to be disposed
• Computer serial numbers
• Location(s)
• Any specific instructions.

Step 2: Data wiping and removal of software

ITS will securely wipe hard drives to protect sensitive data. Any computer hard drives not being resold will be disposed of in secure bins. Any authorised UQ-owned software will be removed to comply with licensing agreements.

Step 3: Disposal from IT management systems

ITS will remove computers from its asset and management systems once hard drives are wiped and software is removed. The organisational unit must then dispose the equipment from UniFi to dissociate from UQ's IT infrastructure. Non-usable computers will be disposed of in designated e-waste bins managed by Property and Facilities.

Step 4: Documentation and closure

Upon completion of the disposal process, ITS will close the job request and notify the organisational unit of the successful disposal of computers.

Working desktops, laptops and monitors that have any saleable value can be resold and proceeds returned to the organisational unit. Devices that are not working or have no resale value should be e-wasted.

Step 1: Submit an IT request

To begin the computer disposal process, the respective organisational unit must submit an IT request and include:

• Number of computers to be disposed
• Computer serial numbers
• Location(s)
• Any specific instructions.

Step 2: Data wiping and removal of software

ITS will securely wipe hard drives to protect sensitive data. Any computer hard drives not being resold will be disposed of in secure bins. Any authorised UQ-owned software will be removed to comply with licensing agreements.

Step 3: Disposal from IT management systems

ITS will remove computers from its asset and management systems once hard drives are wiped and software is removed. The organisational unit must then dispose the equipment from UniFi to dissociate from UQ's IT infrastructure.

Step 4: Handover to organisational unit or placement in disposal bins

After being disposed of from IT management systems, the computers can be returned to the organisational unit if they intend to resell them; otherwise it will be disposed of by ITS.

Upon completion of the disposal process, ITS will close the job request and notify the organisational unit of the successful disposal of computers.

Resell to ACT Logistics

UQ has an approved supply arrangement with ACT Logistics for e-waste disposal with buyback, under the QG DETSOA84891 End User Computing agreement.

This agreement targets items such as desktops, laptops and monitors that have any saleable value at their end of life. It also provides higher resale pricing and lower service charges.

Proceeds from the sale and disposal of items are returned to the Organisational Unit via an invoice to ACT Logistics once the items have been processed.

If you have items that are end of life, contact ACT Logistics to get a quote. Please provide item details and condition to the following people:

Resell to individual staff

Each Organisational Unit can decide whether to sell IT equipment to staff and their finance or administrative staff handle invoicing and payment.

If IT equipment is available to purchase, please note:

• device electrical tagging and testing is recommended before sale
• no operating system is installed and is the responsibility of the purchaser to do so
• no other software is included
• no ongoing IT support is provided.

Fair market value

UQ policy states that the price of assets sold to staff must be fair market value. This can be worked out by:

• obtaining the price for the 3 closest comparable products on various trading platforms, e.g. eBay, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace.
• calculating the average price and using this as the fair market value.

ITS can provide guidance to organisational units if a purchaser is unsure. Documentation should be kept of how the fair market value was calculated for GST and auditing purposes.

You can dispose of small e-waste items at no cost through an e-waste collection point.

Read what can be recycled and where stations are located for more information.

If you have a large amount of e-waste, log a request with PF Assist to arrange collection. 

Please contact IT support to have University-provided device batteries disposed.

Lithium-ion batteries are taken directly to the UQ Science Store (Building 99).

Read the safety alert about lithium-ion batteries for further information.