FutureFive New Zealand - Consumer technology news & reviews from the future

e-waste & Recycling stories

Every year, billions of new smartphones, laptops, smartwatches and other high-tech devices are produced, with billions of others entering obsolescence and being disposed of. These devices contain multiple potentially hazardous metals and other chemicals, which are harmful to the environment if disposed of irresponsibly. This ‘e-waste’ also contains recoverable and recyclable materials, giving rise to organisations specializing in their recovery, repair and refurbishment
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Game review: Clean Up Earth (Xbox Series X)

Yesterday
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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clean technologies
Xbox review: Clean Up Earth turns rubbish clearing into a calm, co-op scavenger hunt, but its repetition and battery-gated gadgets test patience.
Veolia

Veolia launches global data centre resource service

3 days ago
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smart cities
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data analytics
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hyperscale
Veolia targets booming data centre buildout with a single service to cut water use, waste and energy strain as regulators tighten scrutiny.
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10ZiG launches RepurpConvert for Windows 10 migrations

This month
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supply chain
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edr
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clean technologies
10ZiG unveils RepurpConvert to help IT teams automate Windows 10 endpoint migrations and reuse ageing hardware without costly refreshes.
Geotab

Geotab report shows fleets cut fuel waste with data

Last month
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data analytics
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cartech
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partner programmes
Geotab report shows fleets cut fuel waste by 30% as telematics help businesses slash idling, emissions and costs across global operations.
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Style, substance, and strategy: Drawing similarities between pageantry and PR

Last month
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partner programmes
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clean technologies
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marketing
From runway to boardroom, Australia's pageant stage doubles as a high-stakes PR lab for purpose-driven personal branding in 2026.
Australasia electronics recycling refurbishment facility laptops ewaste

Echo buys BMS to build end-to-end tech lifecycle group

Last month
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data protection
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datacentre infrastructure
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risk & compliance
Echo acquires BMS to create an end-to-end tech lifecycle group, expanding reuse and e-waste recycling services across New Zealand and Australia.
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GSMA unveils global fund for green mobile innovation

Tue, 24th Feb 2026
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digital transformation
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iot
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supply chain
GSMA launches global Green Transition fund, offering GBP £100,000-£200,000 grants for mobile-led clean energy and circular device projects.
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Labour squeeze drives print shift to digital inkjet

Tue, 24th Feb 2026
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digital transformation
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rpa
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supply chain
Labour shortages and tighter deadlines are forcing Australian printers to automate and pivot from traditional presses to digital inkjet workflows.
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PPDS unveils Philips Signage 2000 entry-level range

Tue, 10th Feb 2026
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digital signage
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power / energy
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clean technologies
PPDS debuts Philips Signage 2000 4K displays with Android 14 and cloud management, targeting entry-level digital signage deployments.
Tesa tape asia pacific

Tesa marks 45 years in Singapore with new lab push

Tue, 10th Feb 2026
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cartech
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clean technologies
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sustainability
Tesa marks 45 years in Singapore with a new A*STAR lab, boosting Asia-Pacific innovation and sustainable adhesive manufacturing.
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AI pushes dense, decentralised & sustainable data centres

Tue, 10th Feb 2026
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network infrastructure
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semiconductors
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data analytics
AI-hungry workloads are forcing data centres to go high-density, pushing power, cooling and sustainability to the top of the IT agenda.
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Ethique founder launches tablets to replace soft drinks

Tue, 10th Feb 2026
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supply chain
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e-commerce
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clean technologies
Ethique founder Brianne West unveils Incrediballs, plastic-free effervescent tablets aiming to replace bottled soft drinks worldwide.
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TUANZ partners with Recycle A Device to bridge divide

Thu, 5th Feb 2026
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gaming
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uc
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e-learning
TUANZ has teamed with Recycle A Device to supply refurbished laptops to students, targeting New Zealand's growing digital divide in 2026.
Warm modern living room person reaching to digital pet tablet cat

Will AI companions change how we think about pets?

Tue, 3rd Feb 2026
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data protection
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hyperscale
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iot
AI companions are edging into the mainstream, prompting doubts over whether digital pets could reshape - but not replace - traditional pet ownership.
Snap

Snap launches Specs unit to drive smart glasses push

Fri, 30th Jan 2026
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gaming
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wearables
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digital entertainment
Snap forms Specs unit to spearhead next-gen smart glasses, promising AI-driven, low-friction eyewear that blends digital and real worlds.
2150 partners group photo

2150 closes second fund at EUR €210m for urban tech

Tue, 27th Jan 2026
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smart cities
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clean technologies
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lps
Urban tech investor 2150 closes second fund at EUR €210m, lifting total assets to EUR €500m to back climate-focused city technologies.
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AI data centre surge tests labour, energy & grids

Fri, 12th Dec 2025
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smart cities
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hyperscale
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dc
AI data centres are set to strain power grids, labour and emissions targets, forcing the UK and Australia to rethink energy and skills plans.
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2degrees begins phased 3G shutdown across rural NZ

Thu, 11th Dec 2025
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uc
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iot
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digital entertainment
2degrees has begun shutting down 3G on around 100 rural NZ sites, urging remaining users of older devices to upgrade to 4G or 5G.
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AI & mixed reality fuel GPU sales surge for ETB Technologies

Fri, 21st Nov 2025
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hyperscale
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martech
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dc
ETB Technologies sees 33% rise in GPU sales revenue, driven by AI and mixed reality markets boosting demand across multiple industries.
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Epson highlights emission cuts, waste reduction & new partnerships

Wed, 19th Nov 2025
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power / energy
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clean technologies
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sustainability
Epson Australia commits to cut emissions by 55% by 2030 and reports a 29% drop in operational waste in its latest Sustainability Impact Report.