AS 5377:2022 is the Australian Standard for managing electrical and electronic equipment for re-use or recycling. It replaced AS/NZS 5377:2013 and provides a framework for safer, more traceable and environmentally responsible handling of end-of-life electronic equipment.
Recycle IT’s certification to AS 5377:2022 supports our approach to e-waste collection, handling, reuse and recycling. The standard is distinct from ISO standards: it is an Australian Standard published by Standards Australia and specifically addresses the management of electrical and electronic equipment.
What AS 5377:2022 covers
The standard addresses activities across the e-waste chain, including collection, storage, transport, preparation for reuse and treatment. It also places importance on management controls that help organisations demonstrate responsible processing.
Key areas include:
- safe collection, storage and transport of electronic equipment;
- assessment and preparation of equipment for reuse;
- responsible treatment and material recovery;
- data security and protection of information-bearing assets;
- traceability and record keeping;
- risk management and quality controls; and
- environmental and workplace considerations.
Why this matters for organisations disposing of IT
For businesses, schools and government agencies, choosing an e-waste provider is not only about where equipment ends up. Retired IT can contain confidential information, regulated materials and reusable components. A structured management system helps ensure each asset is handled through an appropriate pathway.
That can include secure data destruction, equipment assessment for reuse or remarketing, and recycling of assets that have genuinely reached end of life.
AS 5377 and secure IT asset disposition
AS 5377:2022 complements a broader IT asset disposition (ITAD) program. An ITAD project typically combines asset tracking, chain of custody, data sanitisation or destruction, reuse assessment, recycling and final reporting.
For data-bearing equipment, the sanitisation method should also be selected and validated against the organisation’s information-security requirements. Our NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 guide explains the current risk-based approach to media sanitisation.
Traceability and reporting
Good e-waste governance depends on records. Depending on project scope, organisations may need asset-level information, data-destruction outcomes, recycling records, collection details or sustainability reporting. Establishing those requirements before collection makes it easier to produce an audit-ready result.
Arrange certified e-waste recycling
Recycle IT provides e-waste recycling and secure IT asset disposal services for organisations that need controlled handling and documented outcomes. Request a quote to discuss your equipment, locations, data-security requirements and reporting needs.
Reference: AS 5377:2022 — Management of electrical and electronic equipment for re-use or recycling, Standards Australia.