Every time Australians change internet providers, upgrade to NBN, or switch plans, there is a good chance an old modem or router gets shoved in a drawer and forgotten. With the NBN rollout now complete and many households already on their second or third NBN modem, the collection of retired internet equipment in Australian homes is substantial.
The Modem Drawer Problem
A 2023 survey estimated that Australian households are collectively hoarding over 10 million unused modems and routers. That is a significant volume of electronic waste sitting idle, taking up space, and containing materials that could be recovered.
The lifecycle of internet equipment in Australia has been particularly active over the past decade. The shift from ADSL to NBN generated a wave of retired ADSL modems. Early NBN connections often came with basic modems that were quickly replaced by better units. Provider switching is common, and each new provider typically supplies a new modem. Business-grade modems and routers are upgraded on a regular cycle.
What Is Inside a Modem or Router?
A typical home modem/router contains a main circuit board with a processor, RAM, and flash storage, a power supply (either internal or an external adapter), an Ethernet switch (typically 4-port), Wi-Fi radio modules (2.4GHz and 5GHz, sometimes 6GHz), one or more external or internal antennas, a DSL or fibre module (depending on connection type), USB ports (on some models), and a plastic housing with LED indicators.
The circuit board is the primary recycling target, containing copper traces, solder (potentially lead-based in older models), and small amounts of precious metals. The power adapter contains a transformer with copper wiring. The housing is typically ABS or similar plastic.
Data and Security Concerns
Home modems and routers store configuration data that could be useful to someone with malicious intent. Stored data typically includes your Wi-Fi network name and password, admin login credentials for the router interface, ISP authentication credentials (PPPoE username and password), port forwarding rules and firewall settings, connected device history, DNS settings and any custom configurations, and parental control settings and blocklists.
How to Reset
Most modems and routers have a recessed reset button on the back or bottom. Press and hold this button with a paperclip or pin for 10-30 seconds while the device is powered on. The LEDs will typically flash and then the device will restart with factory default settings.
Alternatively, log into the router’s admin interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and look for a factory reset option in the system or administration menu.
ISP-Supplied vs Owned Equipment
ISP-supplied modems: Check whether your internet provider wants the modem returned. Some providers (particularly those that supply premium modems like the Telstra Smart Modem) may charge an unreturned equipment fee if you do not send it back. Other providers, particularly for basic NBN modems, consider them disposable and do not require return.
Purchased modems: If you bought the modem yourself, it is yours to dispose of as you see fit. Factory reset it and recycle through e-waste channels.
Recycling Options
Council e-waste drop-off points accept modems and routers at transfer stations. Include the power adapter and any Ethernet cables that came with the unit.
Professional e-waste recyclers accept networking equipment as part of their standard streams.
ISP return programs: Some internet providers operate equipment return or recycling programs. Telstra, for example, has processes for returning unused equipment.
Donation: Working modems can sometimes be useful, but compatibility is a concern. A modem from one provider often will not work with another provider’s service. However, standalone Wi-Fi routers (without built-in modems) are more universally useful and can be donated to people who need better Wi-Fi coverage with their existing internet connection.
NBN Equipment Specifically
The NBN rollout has generated its own category of equipment that needs attention during disposal.
NBN Connection Devices (NCD, also called the NTD or connection box) are owned by NBN Co and must not be removed or disposed of. These are the devices installed on your wall that your modem connects to. They belong to NBN Co regardless of which provider you use. If you are moving house, leave the NCD in place.
NBN modems are separate from the NCD and are typically supplied by your internet provider. These are the devices you can dispose of (subject to any return obligations to your provider).
If you are unsure which device is the NBN connection device and which is the modem, the NCD is usually the one mounted on the wall near where the cable enters the house. The modem is typically the device with Wi-Fi antenna indicators and multiple Ethernet ports that sits on a shelf or desk.
Power Adapters
Every modem comes with a power adapter, and the drawer full of old modems inevitably includes a tangle of unidentified power adapters. These adapters contain copper wiring, small transformers, circuit boards, and plastic housings. They are e-waste and should be recycled alongside the modems they belong to.
Do not put power adapters in general waste. While they seem like simple items, they contain electronic components and small amounts of hazardous materials.
For more on recycling all types of home and office electronics, see our complete guide to e-waste recycling in Australia.
EWV helps Victorian businesses manage e-waste and IT asset disposal compliantly and sustainably — including collection, certified data destruction, and recycling. Contact us for a free quote.