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Is there such a thing as too much sleep? (Spoiler: yes)
We’re constantly being reminded by news articles and social media posts that we should be getting more sleep. You probably don’t need to hear it again – not sleeping enough is bad for your brain, heart and overall health, not to mention your skin and sex drive.
But what about sleeping “too… View moreWe’re constantly being reminded by news articles and social media posts that we should be getting more sleep. You probably don’t need to hear it again – not sleeping enough is bad for your brain, heart and overall health, not to mention your skin and sex drive.
But what about sleeping “too much”? Recent reports that sleeping more than nine hours could be worse for your health than sleeping too little may have you throwing up your hands in despair.
It can be hard not to feel confused and worried. But how much sleep do we need? And what can sleeping a lot really tell us about our health? Let’s unpack the evidence.
Sleep is essential for our health
==========================
Along with nutrition and physical activity, sleep is an essential pillar of health.
During sleep, physiological processes occur that allow our bodies to function effectively when we are awake. These include processes involved in muscle recovery, memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
The Sleep Health Foundation – Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation that provides evidence-based information on sleep health – recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Some people are naturally short sleepers and can function well with less than seven hours.
However, for most of us, sleeping less than seven hours will have negative effects. These may be short term; for example, the day after a poor night’s sleep you might have less energy, worse mood, feel more stressed and find it harder to concentrate at work.
In the long term, not getting enough good quality sleep is a major risk factor for health problems. It’s linked to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease – such as heart attacks and stroke – metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, such as depression and anxiety, cancer and death.
So, it’s clear that not getting enough sleep is bad for us. But what about too much sleep?
Could too much sleep be bad?
========================
In a recent study, researchers reviewed the results of 79 other studies that followed people for at least one year and measured how sleep duration impacts the risk of poor health or dying to see if there was an overall trend.
They found people who slept for short durations – less than seven hours a night – had a 14% higher risk of dying in the study period, compared to those who slept between seven and eight hours. This is not surprising given the established health risks of poor sleep.
However, the researchers also found those who slept a lot – which they defined as more than nine hours a night – had a greater risk of dying: 34% higher than people who slept seven to eight hours.
This supports similar research from 2018, which combined results from 74 previous studies that followed the sleep and health of participants across time, ranging from one to 30 years. It found sleeping more than nine hours was associated with a 14% increased risk of dying in the study period.
Research has also shown sleeping too long (meaning more than required for your age) is linked to health problems such as depression, chronic pain, weight gain and metabolic disorders.
This may sound alarming. But it’s crucial to remember these studies have only found a link between sleeping too long and poor health – this doesn’t mean sleeping too long is the cause of health problems or death.
So, what’s the link?
===============
Multiple factors may influence the relationship between sleeping a lot and having poor health.
It’s common for people with chronic health problems to consistently sleep for long periods. Their bodies may need additional rest to support recovery, or they may spend more time in bed due to symptoms or medication side effects.
People with chronic health problems may also not be getting high quality sleep, and may stay in bed for longer to try and get some extra sleep.
Additionally, we know risk factors for poor health, such as smoking and being overweight, are also associated with poor sleep.
This means people may be sleeping more because of existing health problems or lifestyle behaviours, not that sleeping more is causing the poor health.
Put simply, sleeping may be a symptom of poor health, not the cause.
What’s the ideal amount?
====================
The reasons some people sleep a little and others sleep a lot depend on individual differences – and we don’t yet fully understand these.
Our sleep needs can be related to age. Teenagers often want to sleep more and may physically need to, with sleep recommendations for teens being slightly higher than adults at eight to ten hours. Teens may also go to bed and wake up later.
Older adults may want to spend more time in bed. However, unless they have a sleep disorder, the amount they need to sleep will be the same as when they were younger.
But most adults will require seven to nine hours, so this is the healthy window to aim for.
It’s not just about how much sleep you get. Good quality sleep and a consistent bed time and wake time are just as important – if not more so – for your overall health.
The bottom line
=============
Given many Australian adults are not receiving the recommended amount of sleep, we should focus on how to make sure we get enough sleep, rather than worrying we are getting too much.
To give yourself the best chance of a good night’s sleep, get sunlight and stay active during the day, and try to keep a regular sleep and wake time. In the hour before bed, avoid screens, do something relaxing, and make sure your sleep space is quiet, dark, and comfortable.
If you notice you are regularly sleeping much longer than usual, it could be your body’s way of telling you something else is going on. If you’re struggling with sleep or are concerned, speak with your GP. You can also explore the resources on the Sleep Health Foundation website.
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Four common supermarket price errors to look out for
Consumer NZ says supermarkets are still making pricing errors, despite increasing pressure and scrutiny on them.
Charges have been filed and a number of supermarkets have pleaded guilty to breaching the Fair Trading Act due to inaccurate pricing and misleading specials.
But Consumer NZ says … View moreConsumer NZ says supermarkets are still making pricing errors, despite increasing pressure and scrutiny on them.
Charges have been filed and a number of supermarkets have pleaded guilty to breaching the Fair Trading Act due to inaccurate pricing and misleading specials.
But Consumer NZ says misleading specials are still costing shoppers tens of millions of dollars a year and has launched a petition calling for tougher penalties for breaches of the ac
It provided examples of a number of ways that people could be caught out by misleading signage in supermarkets.
Dodgy multibuy
=============
A dodgy multibuy refers to a situation where the individual price and the multibuy price don't add up to a saving.
supermarket price errorsA mince special where a tray of meat was $4 or people could buy three for $20.
Consumer NZ pointed to this mince special where a tray of meat was $4 or people could buy three for $20.
In another case, packaging seemed to be making a confusing difference.
The Gingernuts that were selling for $5 but the club price for a twin-pack was $5.59.
Two individual backs of Gingernuts were selling for $5 but the club price for a 500g twin-pack was $5.59.
Different pricing
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Sometimes the price on the shelf tag does not match what you pay at checkout.
A box of Coca Cola a customer paid more at checkout for than the shelf price tag.
In this case, supplied by Consumer, the price tag on the shelf said $27, but the customer paid more than $35 at the checkout.
Confusing
========
Double cream brie with two prices. Consumer provided an example of double cream brie was "reduced" to $10.60 for a quick sale - or was it on sale for $9.80?
Mismatches
==========
Sometimes it seems as though there are multiple labels for the same item.
In this case, two signs had two different prices for a single avocado.
Another sign at the same supermarket saying a single avocado is $1.69.
"One said $1.69. The other said $1.99," Consumer NZ spokesperson Abby Damen said.
"The customer was charged $1.99. She returned two days later to ask what could be done about the pricing error. She was offered a refund of the price difference but after pointing out the supermarket's new refund policy, she was refunded $2 and also kept her avocado."
Chief executive at Consumer Jon Duffy said anyone who was charged more than the shelf price was entitled by law to a refund of the difference.
He said both supermarket chains promised a full refund in that scenario, but consumers sometimes had to know that was what was available.
A Foodstuffs spokesperson said with more than 14,000 products in a typical supermarket, and prices changing frequently due to supplier costs, promotions or new product liens, pricing was a complex job.
"But for our customers, it's simple. They rightly expect the price on the shelf to match what they pay at the checkout," he said.
"We take pricing accuracy as seriously as health and safety, aiming for zero errors.
"Across our local, family-owned stores, we manage tens of thousands of price labels and process millions of transactions every week, and we've invested in better systems, daily checks and electronic shelf labels to help get it right.
"If we do get it wrong, our policy is that the customer gets a refund and keeps the product. We've also strengthened staff training and store processes to make sure pricing is clear and accurate."
Woolworths said it had more 3.5 million transactions in our stores each week "and sometimes errors do occur".
"When they do, we try to make things right, through our long-standing and market-leading refund policy. Under that policy, if a customer is charged more than the advertised price for a product, they get a full refund and can keep the product."
Duffy said Consumer had received 20 complaints about supermarket pricing since Tuesday. A normal rate would be two a day, he said.
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Major electoral law overhaul includes ending same-day enrolment, clarity on treats for voters
The Government is making a “significant, but necessary change” to New Zealand’s electoral laws to address “strain on the system”.
Among the changes being proposed is stopping same-day enrolment for voters in a general election. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said allowing late … View moreThe Government is making a “significant, but necessary change” to New Zealand’s electoral laws to address “strain on the system”.
Among the changes being proposed is stopping same-day enrolment for voters in a general election. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said allowing late enrolments was “well intentioned” but had placed pressure on the system.
Also being dealt to is offering treats to voters. A new offence will be created prohibiting the provision of free food, drink and entertainment within 100 metres of a voting place while voting is occurring. Offenders could be punished with a fine of up to $10,000.
“There has been some confusion in the past around what is and isn’t ‘treating’. This will make the rules crystal clear,” Goldsmith said.
The list of key changes includes:
===========================
Closing enrolment 13 days before election day to reduce pressure on post-election timeframes.
Requiring 12 days of advance voting at each election.
Introducing automatic enrolment updates so the Electoral Commission can update people’s enrolment details using data from other government agencies.
Enabling greater use of digital communication by removing postal requirements for enrolment.
Creating a new offence that prohibits the provision of free food, drink or entertainment within 100m of a voting place while voting is taking place. It will be punishable by a fine of up to $10,000.
Reinstating a total ban on prisoner voting.
“The donation threshold for reporting the names of party donors is also being adjusted from $5000 to $6000, to account for inflation.”
============================================
Goldsmith said late enrolments had “placed too much strain on the system”.
“The final vote count used to take two weeks, last election it took three,” he said.
“If we leave things as they are, it could well take even longer in future elections. The 20-day timeframe for a final result will likely already be challenging to achieve at the next election without changes.
“Therefore, the Government has agreed to close enrolment before advance voting begins. People will need to make sure they enrol or update their enrolment details by midnight on the Sunday, before advance voting opens on Monday morning.
“This is a significant, but necessary change. The Electoral Commission will have plenty of time to run an education campaign to ensure people understand the new requirements.
“For Australia’s federal election earlier this year, the enrolment deadline was 26 days before election day. I have every confidence New Zealand can manage within the 13-day deadline.”
Act justice spokesman Todd Stephenson welcomed the reforms, saying it was “outrageous” that someone “completely disengaged and lazy can rock up to the voting booth, get registered there and then, and then vote to tax other people’s money away”.
“People who want to pull the levers of democracy ought to get organised, look at the policies, and register well in advance,” he said.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called it “draconian”.
“Preventing people from enrolling to vote during advance voting is a draconian measure that could rob tens of thousands of Kiwis of their democratic right to vote, and there is no good reason for it. It’s anti-democratic.”
The Greens’ spokeswoman for democracy and electoral reform, Celia Wade Brown, said the Government was “weakening our democracy”.
“What we do with our democracy matters; who we shut out and who we afford special privileges shapes the decisions made in Parliament and the direction this country is taken in.”
The Herald reported last year that the Government was looking to overturn the 2020 decision to allow same-day enrolment after a report from the Auditor-General exposed a series of problems with counting votes at the most recent election.
The report noted that none of the problems found with the most recent election would have changed the national result or the result in any individual electorate.
The report did not recommend changing the Electoral Act to prohibit election-day enrolments, but it found that the 2020 change had put immense pressure on the Electoral Commission because same-day enrolments must be counted as special votes, meaning they take 10 times longer to process than ordinary votes.
Hipkins said at the time that the changes should be kept, given that 100,000 people took up the opportunity to enrol on election day.
“I think in a fiscally constrained time, and particularly where there are so many issues that are being hotly contested, it’s important that we ensure that everybody has the right to vote and that everybody’s vote gets counted. The Government’s simply saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to cancel 100,000 people’s votes.’ That’s not democratic,” Hipkins said.
Other changes being made, according to Goldsmith, include allowing special vote processing earlier, increasing the number of members on the Electoral Commission board, and setting a single deadline for candidate nominations.
“The Government is progressing a separate bill to amend the Constitution Act 1986 to ensure the continuity of executive government in the post-election period,” a statement said.
This will address an issue where ministers may remain in office after an election for 28 days while the final count is completed. However, if there is a delay to the election results (for example, due to a recount), then the 28 days can expire before new MPs are appointed. This happened at the 2023 election.
The bill will allow for ministers to remain in office until all successful electorate and list MPs have been declared.
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Turn an Old Window into a Portable Cold Frame with Resene
Transform an old window into a handy cold frame decorated in Resene Kwila Timber Stain and Resene Lustacryl that you can move around the garden to extend your growing season. Find out how to make and finish your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Poll: Whether young or experienced, has age been a barrier to opportunity?
The Neighbourly Team came across the third installment of 'Work, Interrupted', an article series looking at the job struggles different generations face, and we thought it would resonate with our Neighbourly community.
In this article, Amelia Wade reports on what it’s like to seek … View moreThe Neighbourly Team came across the third installment of 'Work, Interrupted', an article series looking at the job struggles different generations face, and we thought it would resonate with our Neighbourly community.
In this article, Amelia Wade reports on what it’s like to seek employment when you’re 50+. Many factors - from financial to social pressures - are keeping people in the workforce longer. The reality is that times are tough, even for our most experienced workers: of those receiving Jobseeker benefit, a third are 50-64 years old.
We want to know: Have you felt overlooked in the job market?
Do you have advice for your community on how to stand out in an increasingly crowded job seeker market?
Share your experience below!
📖 Want to read more from the 'Work, Interrupted' series?
Work, Interrupted: The kids, the mortgage, but no job. What next?
Young and shut out: Gen Z face the harshest job market in years
Work, Interrupted: Is 50 the new 60? Older workers battling algorithms to get CVs seen
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67.2% Yes - In my experience, age has been a factor.
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29.5% No - In my experience, age has had little to do with my employment opportunities
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2.4% As an employer, age is not a factor.
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1% Other - I will share below.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Award – Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau!
This is a great way to celebrate our seniors who are leaving an amazing legacy for future generations. Let’s give a shoutout to those who have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in life, and who are still actively making the world around them a better place, following their careers in… View moreThis is a great way to celebrate our seniors who are leaving an amazing legacy for future generations. Let’s give a shoutout to those who have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in life, and who are still actively making the world around them a better place, following their careers in any service, sector or field.
Take a moment to nominate the deserving individuals in your life who are making a difference every day, either in our villages or in the wider community.
Follow the link below, and let’s make their stories known!
Be part of Brushstrokes of Impact - A Paint and Sip Evening at Eden Park in Support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland
WHEN: Thursday 14 August 2025, 7:00pm to 9:30pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
WHERE: All Blacks Changing Rooms, Eden Park, Kingsland
Step into the legendary All Blacks changing rooms for a night of creativity, connection, and community at ‘Brushstrokes of Impact’, a fundraising event hosted by … View moreWHEN: Thursday 14 August 2025, 7:00pm to 9:30pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
WHERE: All Blacks Changing Rooms, Eden Park, Kingsland
Step into the legendary All Blacks changing rooms for a night of creativity, connection, and community at ‘Brushstrokes of Impact’, a fundraising event hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland. This exclusive paint-and-sip experience offers you the chance to find your inner artist inside one our most iconic sporting spaces. Whether you’re a rugby fan, art enthusiast, or just someone who believes in the power of mentoring, there’s something for you.
Hosted by Matilda Green, guests can enjoy a guided painting session with Kiwi artist Andrew J Steel – known for thought-provoking murals and street art – alongside a fundraising auction with some enticing prizes up for grabs (hello private Eden Park tour!) Nibbles will be provided, with all proceeds from the event going directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland!
Whether you’re flying solo, bringing a date, rallying your workmates, or catching up with friends, Brushstrokes of Impact promises a memorable night blending art, sport, and generosity. Spots are limited, so get your tickets!
More than 50,000 people made withdrawals from their KiwiSaver accounts on the basis of hardship in the year to June - compared to about 18,000 five years ago.
KiwiSaver provider Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub said the increase started in 2023 and the reasons were easy to understand - the recession and cost-of-living crisis were putting ongoing pressure on people's budgets.
"But some context - the number of hardship withdrawals were… View moreKiwiSaver provider Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub said the increase started in 2023 and the reasons were easy to understand - the recession and cost-of-living crisis were putting ongoing pressure on people's budgets.
"But some context - the number of hardship withdrawals were 1.6 percent members, and 0.3 percent of savings. The hardship, as is true for the wider society, is concentrated pain among a few," Eaqub said.
Sorted's personal finance lead Tom Hartmann told Nine to Noon, it was likely the ability to withdraw from KiwiSaver was giving people "peace of mind" that if their situation worsened they could draw on their savings.
He said the average withdrawal was $8800.
For someone in their 30s, earning $75,000 a year, a withdrawal of that size in a year could reduce their not-inflation-adjusted final balance by about $40,000.
Hartmann said there had not been an increase in savings suspensions, which indicated that the withdrawal was a temporary stop gap for people who would get back to making contributions.
People can opt to stop contributing to KiwiSaver for a year at a time, and can renew the suspension at the end of the 12 months.
The number of people on a savings suspension had dropped from 89,000 a year ago to 85,000.
Hartmann said the key thing for people considering a withdrawal was to make it a last resort.
"Typically there are other sources of support that need to be explored first."
Financial helpline MoneyTalks was one option, he said.
"The team there have reporting seeing an increase in even middle-income people exploring their options."
Eaqub said for people making a withdrawal, it was often a choice between "certain hardship today versus more savings later in life".
But he said the situation was worse for those without KiwiSaver.
"Many low-income people do not contribute to KiwiSaver, because the employee contribution lowers their take home pay. But they also miss out on the employer contribution and government subsidies. It means when non-contributors face hardship, they do not have this fallback."
But Rupert Carlyon, founder of Koura KiwiSaver, said people on lower incomes could build up good balances.
"Someone earning $60,000 contributing 3 percent will end be putting in [about] $3500 per year, so over 10 years plus returns that really adds up.
"You can easily see a $60,000 salary becoming a $45,000 balance over 10 years. That is the power of KiwiSaver, we are often encouraging people to save that would not otherwise do it."
======================================================
Assorted Blank Discs See Description - Make an offer and they are yours.
Make an offer and they are yours.
4 x DVD+R Lightscribe
4 x DVD+R Double Layer Imation
50 x DVD-R Printable Verbatim
11 x CD-R Printable Verbatim
19 x DVD+R Printable Verbatim
Used Oppo Reno 8 Lite for sale
Oppo Reno 8 Lite in good working order and near new condition. Surplus to my requirements as I just upgraded to a new phone. Contact Michael by text if you are interested on 0220498546
62% of New Zealanders have noticed pricing errors at the supermarket over the last year
Supermarket pricing errors are widespread and yet another blow to people’s budgets. We need clear rules, stronger penalties and automatic compensation for shoppers when supermarkets get it wrong. It’s time to force supermarkets to get their pricing right.
Tell the government to introduce a … View moreSupermarket pricing errors are widespread and yet another blow to people’s budgets. We need clear rules, stronger penalties and automatic compensation for shoppers when supermarkets get it wrong. It’s time to force supermarkets to get their pricing right.
Tell the government to introduce a mandatory supermarket pricing accuracy code:
=====================================================
***with clear pricing rules
***requiring supermarkets to automatically compensate consumers when pricing errors occur. For example, by requiring products be provided free of charge if the shelf price is cheaper than the scanned price, there is a special that doesn’t offer a genuine saving, or incorrect unit pricing.
***requiring your rights to be clearly disclosed both instore and online
***with infringement notice powers and much higher penalties (similar to those in Australia) for misleading pricing and promotions.
Time for action
=============
Recent Consumer NZ research found that 62% of New Zealanders noticed a pricing inaccuracy at the supermarket in the last year. And thanks to hundreds of examples you shared with us, in 2023 we laid a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission about Woolworths and Foodstuffs over misleading pricing and promotional practices. That complaint led to criminal charges being filed against Woolworths NZ and two Pak’nSave stores.
But the problem is these pricing issues haven’t stopped. And they won’t, unless the supermarkets face serious consequences.
We know that all the problems in the supermarket sector won’t be fixed overnight, but new rules will help stop dodgy pricing and promotional tactics, put money back in your pockets and send a strong signal to supermarkets to sort it out.
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French Style Iron Wall Shelf - silver
High build quality, very sturdy, heavy frame.
Metal has been recoated in a textured metallic Hammerite finish. In very good condition.
Has four shelves and can be hung either way up.
Second shelf down has rubber grips.
The metal frame comes with a set of wooden boards a set of aerated concrete … View moreHigh build quality, very sturdy, heavy frame.
Metal has been recoated in a textured metallic Hammerite finish. In very good condition.
Has four shelves and can be hung either way up.
Second shelf down has rubber grips.
The metal frame comes with a set of wooden boards a set of aerated concrete (AAC) blocks for an alternative look.
Dimensions:
H:1500
W:595
D:350.
Pick up Westmere.
QUIZ NIGHT TONIGHT
Quiz night tonight at Nomad Point Chevalier.
30% off all mains tonight for Quizzers!!!
Bookings essential, kick off at 7pm...
See you there.
Large Cane Pet Bed
If you make an offer this could be yours.
Would suit a cat or a small dog.
Made of sturdy cane.
Approximate dimensions Width 750mm Depth 590mm Height 200mm at the back, 100mm at the front.
What do I need to do before throwing away old tech?
Our devices store so much personal information about us. So when it’s time to throw them away, how can we make sure they’re wiped clean?
Windows 10 support is due to expire in October and devices past this “best-before date” will not receive any fixes for new security issues.
Wayne Angus,… View moreOur devices store so much personal information about us. So when it’s time to throw them away, how can we make sure they’re wiped clean?
Windows 10 support is due to expire in October and devices past this “best-before date” will not receive any fixes for new security issues.
Wayne Angus, country manager for IT asset lifecycle management company Greenbox, says this poses “a potential ticking time bomb”, with an estimated 240 million PCs globally no longer able to be used securely after October.
He describes e-waste as “one of New Zealand's most underappreciated security environmental threats”, with Kiwis producing an estimated 80 million kilograms annually.
People underestimate the cyber security risk associated with how they dispose of their old phones and laptops
Greenbox country manager Wayne Angus says people underestimate the cyber security risk associated with how they dispose of their old phones and laptops.
Urban Miners salvaging electronic waste from landfill
“The major challenge is around the data and the security of data because the cyber hackers and the underbelly out there in the world are very, very clever at extracting information and data from disposed of devices,” Angus told Nine to Noon.
For those replacing their old tech or people simply wanting an upgrade, there are some key factors to consider before getting rid of your device.
Can people access my files if I’ve deleted them or factory reset?
===================================================
AUT department of computer and information sciences head Minh Nguyen says think of files like books.
“All [a factory reset] does is just clear off all the data of username, password, and the table, but all your books are still there. The book is only labelled ‘deleted’, but the written text inside the book is still there.”
Some Apple and Android phones automatically ‘encrypt’ data. This means a ‘key’ acts as a password, so your data cannot be read without it, he says. Performing a factory reset on these phones deletes that encryption key.
Using the ‘quick format’ tool on laptops and PCs also leaves behind traces, Nguyen says. That’s why the ‘full format’ option is slower, he says, it works by opening every page in that book and removing all traces.
“However, still, if you think about it in real life, they still leave some marks. People with some [high-level] tools, they still can recover whatever you deleted by the eraser. So even full format, sometimes it's not 100 percent safe.”
How far do you really need to go?
==========================
Physically destroying CDs may be your best bet, Nguyen says. But for things like laptops, high-level software is available for deep data erasure on devices if there's sensitive information.123RF
If you’ve got super important data, you could go to a certified IT asset disposal company which will take your device back to the bare bones, Angus says.
“[Cyber criminals will] spend hours fiddling through a hard drive just to try and find that one bit of information that they might be able to use to get access to your corporate database or get into your network through a password.”
Alternatively, you could follow the guide from e-waste service TechCollect on how to use this high-level software. But Nguyen says if you haven’t stored sensitive data on your device, you could resort to the steps below.
“[Doing a data erasure] might take a few hours to wipe off one, and most people might not bother to do that.”
The steps you can take
===================
The National Cyber Security Centre recommends starting with backing up your files to a Cloud service or a storage device.
Smartphones / tablets: Nguyen says encrypt your data (you can usually find the steps on your manufacturer’s website), sign out of all your accounts, perform a factory reset (instructions should also be on your manufacturer’s website), and remove any SIM or SD card. “Whatever data left inside the phone is encrypted, and it's very, very difficult to decrypt.”
Smartwatch: Firstly, unpair it from your phone, perform a factory reset then remove any SIM card. “It should be safe because once you unpair from your phone then you don't have much data left. After you [do a] factory reset, I think it goes to the brand new condition.”
Gaming consoles / smart TVs: Log out and perform a factory reset. Don’t forget to remove any USB or SD cards plugged in.
Laptops / PCs: Encrypt the hard drive disk and do a full format (which you can find the tool for by searching in your settings). You can then physically remove the hard drive as an extra security measure. Nguyen notes most people are saving data on to their Cloud storage, so that’s where the increasing security risk is. Similarly, performing a full format on a USB or external hard drive removes data more than just deleting.
Modem: Modems store your password and some DNS and VPN settings. Nguyen recommends starting with a factory reset. There’s usually a tiny hole which you can press using a pin or paper clip for about 10 to 30 seconds to do this. This will reset your password and admin username to the default (both ‘admin’). Access the admin page by going to ‘192.168.1.1’ on your web browser. Login using the default admin username and password and “just change the admin password to be whatever you don't even remember”.
The back of a modem with two wires plugged in.
Modems have internal memory storages that holds data on your Wi-Fi, IP address and admin username and password.Unsplash / Stephen Phillips
DVDs / CDs / SIM cards: It’s best to physically destroy these by cutting or breaking them, Nguyen says.
Cameras: Perform a factory reset and format the internal hard drive along with the external SD card.
Don't leave old devices lying around
=============================
Lithium-ion batteries also have an end of life. If left inside devices, they can swell and become a fire risk, Angus says.
“If you've got a device like a phone or a laptop, and you notice that the back of the device where the battery is hidden away on the inside is starting to bulge, then you've got a real risk and you need to make sure that you get that dealt with properly.”
What are my options for disposal?
============================
Check your local council for more information about e-waste collection services in your area.
TechCollect is a free service that offers e-waste drop-off collection points across the country for households and small businesses. They encourage people with working devices to contact the Recycle A Device programme – a not-for-profit organisation who collect and refurbish old laptops and tablets which are then given to people who need them.
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