On 5 April 2025, Echo launched its first Wellington E-Day with a clear ambition: to make e-waste recycling simple, secure, and accessible for local communities. Twelve months on, that ambition has translated into a powerful programme of activity across the region.

Over the course of the year, Echo delivered 19 E-Days across Wellington, creating convenient opportunities for thousands of households to responsibly dispose of their unwanted electronics. In total, 81,068 kilograms of e-waste was collected – material that would otherwise risk ending up in landfill or being improperly handled.  

Alongside this environmental impact, the programme also supported the community more directly, raising $12,162 for Variety – the Children’s Charity.

Participation has been a defining feature of the programme’s success. Across the 19 events, nearly 3,900 vehicles came through, highlighting both the demand for accessible recycling and the willingness of Wellingtonians to take positive action when the opportunity is made easy.

A standout moment came on 2 November 2025, when Echo hosted an E-Day at SKY Stadium. In just four hours, 1,360 cars came through the site, with a total of 23,160 kilograms of e-waste collected. The scale of this single event demonstrated what is possible when the right location, awareness, and community engagement come together.

A key part of the programme’s success has been its reach. E-Days were held across a wide range of locations, from schools such as Upper Hutt College, Tawa College and Wellington High School, to community hubs like Elim Church in Porirua, retail centres including Airport Retail Park in Kilbirnie, and public spaces such as Zealandia and the UHCC Recycling Station. This spread ensured that communities across Upper Hutt, Porirua, Lower Hutt and central Wellington could all access the service within their local area.

While the headline numbers are significant, the impact of E-Days goes beyond volume alone. Each event provides a secure and trustworthy way for people to dispose of data-bearing devices, while ensuring materials are recovered and processed responsibly through certified downstream partners. Just as importantly, E-Days serve as an education platform – helping communities better understand the importance of responsible e-waste disposal and the role they can play in reducing environmental harm.

The first year of Wellington E-Days has proven that when barriers are removed and access is prioritised, communities will engage. It has also reinforced Echo’s belief that environmental impact and community outcomes go hand in hand.

As the programme continues to grow, including expansion into new regions, Echo remains focused on building on this momentum – delivering more events, increasing accessibility, and continuing to make e-waste recycling a normal, easy choice for households across New Zealand.

If you’re interested in hosting or supporting an E-Day in your community, we’d love to hear from you!

https://www.echotech.co.nz/e-days

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