Improving e-Waste recovery across WA thanks to DWER support

Good Sammy is proud to share that we have received a State Government grant through the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) to expand our capacity to recover, test and reuse household electrical items – keeping them in the circular economy and out of landfill.

The grant has enabled us to purchase testing and tagging equipment for stores across our WA network. Until now, electronic items donated to Good Sammy stores were required to be transported to our Canning Vale warehouse for safety testing before resale. This centralised process created a bottleneck and limited how many electrical goods we could reuse.

With this new equipment, most of our stores can now conduct their own electrical testing and tagging onsite. This will significantly increase the number of preloved electrical items that can be resold through our retail stores – reducing the volume of e-waste being sent for recycling or landfill, and extending the life of valuable household goods.

A win for the environment and social impact

This change also reduces the need to transport electrical items to and from our central warehouse – lowering the use of our logistics fleet and reducing carbon emissions associated with inter-store freight. It’s a practical step toward minimising our environmental footprint while making our operations more efficient.

Importantly, this grant also supports development and training opportunities for people with disability – who make up over 50% of our workforce. Our supported employees are being trained to use the new equipment, giving them new skills in electrical safety, equipment handling, and workplace procedures. These hands-on learning opportunities contribute to their confidence, growth, and career development.

The expansion of in-store testing will also support our partnerships with local councils, as we attend community e-waste collection days. Our trained team recovers high-quality, working electronic items on-site – before they are sent to recycling – and ensures they are safely returned to the community through resale.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of DWER through this grant, which is helping to drive positive environmental outcomes across Western Australia. With their support, we are building a more sustainable, inclusive future.

What Electronics Can You Recycle at Good Sammy? 

Good Sammy accepts a wide range of electronics at our stores for reuse, including:

• Computers (desktops, laptops, and tablets)

• Keyboards, mice, and computer accessories

• TVs (varies by location)

• Video game consoles

• Mobile phones and accessories

• Small appliances (toasters, coffee makers, etc.)

• Cables, chargers, and power adapters

Items Not Accepted

While Good Sammy accepts many types of electronics, certain items may not be eligible for donation due to safety or environmental concerns. These often include:

• Large appliances (ovens, air conditioners)

• Broken or severely damaged electronics

• Hazardous materials (batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, fire sensors)

• Medical equipment

• Items that contain biohazards or chemicals

• Older electrical items without an insulated plug

Before donating, check with your local Good Sammy store to confirm what they accept.