HP has also recently extended its recycling program which previously only recycled original HP print cartridges. The vendor now organizes the free pick-up and recycling of any computer hardware from any vendor.

Lenavo and Optima were also contacted by Computerworld but were unable to respond by time of publishing.

The Department of Environment and Heritage estimates that on average, one million computers are sent to landfill each year and next year this will rise to 1.6 million.

The Minister for Environment and Heritage, Ian Campbell, said that the federal and state governments are currently working with the industry to develop an effective computer recycling program.

"I plan to host a roundtable with the computer industry early next year to progress this," he said.