HOW many mobile phones have you owned? What about computers? And printers, ink cartridges and batteries? Where have they ended up?

National Recycling Week kicked off yesterday to remind Australians electronic waste no longer had to end up as land fill.

Planet Ark's manager of Recycling Programs Janet Sparrow said while many people were doing the right thing with newspapers, aluminium cans and milk and juice cartons, there was still some confusion about what to do with e-waste.

"Our two recycling information services receive hundreds of thousands of enquiries a year with the largest group being about e-waste," she said.

Ms Sparrow said there were more than 345 million batteries purchased in Australia each year, including 1.8 million car batteries, and until now there wasn't much that could be done with them.

"There are now well established, nationwide networks for the responsible collection and recycling of used batteries," she said.

An Australia Post spokeswoman said the Warwick Australia Post Shop could take printer cartridges and mobile phones off people's hands through the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark and MobileMuster program.

For all other items - including batteries, a quick search of www.businessrecycling.com.au brings up local businesses which accept other recyclable goods.

This week also marked the announcement of the Queensland Government's campaign aimed at encouraging people to dob in those who litter.

Environment Minister Vicky Darling said anyone who witnessed a person illegally dumping from a vehicle, trailer or vessel could record details and submit a report online through the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

She said the new Waste and Recycling Act - which would come into effect on December 1 - gave the government the authority to issue fines based on public reports.

"We will give Queenslanders time to adjust to the new scheme by issuing advisory statements to offenders until the end of the year," she said.

"But from February 1 next year, infringement notices from $300 up to $3000 can be issued for all littering and from $4000 to $16,500 for illegal dumping.

"Importantly, as we embark upon National Recycling Week, if an item is just thrown away it becomes a lost resource, going to landfill instead of being recovered and recycled."

To find out more about National Recycling Week visit www.recyclingweek.planetark.org or call the National Recycling Hotline on 1300733 712.

Recycling facts

• 345 million batteries purchased in Australia in each.
• Aluminium cans can be recycled an infinite amount of times.
• National Recycling Week started in 1996.