With technology a huge part of our everyday lives, we follow the trend of keeping up with the newest gadget and smartphones available. But we never consider the waste we create with our old technology, which ends up in landfill and causes harm to our environment. Most of our electronic waste still works – or at least the parts within.

Logan business Substation33 wants to change the way we deal with e-waste by reusing the tech we throw away.

Substation33 has been running for ten years, collecting broken printers, old laptop batteries and more to make and reuse the parts they salvage. Tony Sharp, owner and founder of Substation33, started this business to make a positive change in the community.

“I started Substation33 from a perspective as a youth worker to create a change around electronic waste ending up in landfill but using that electronic waste to create employment opportunities for young people,” explains Tony.

Substation33 has built several projects out of the spare parts they salvage, creating 3D Printers, charging stations and smart flood warning signs alerting drivers roads are flooded up ahead, says Tony.

“We process 200,000 kilos of waste a year, and we have recycled 97% of the donated electronic waste.”

This means that only 3% of what SubStation33 collects ends up in landfill.

With the help of community volunteering, Tony and his team get together with the parts they have, teaching younger generations to build with recycled waste.

“Our primary role in the community is to create opportunities and train people on all the back of electronics and recycling,” Tony continues.

“Diverting waste from landfills and creating a positive change in peoples lives.”

Check out more at substation33.com.au.