Recycle & Buyback Program
APERS Recycle & Buyback Program: sustainable choices for your old personal alarms.
Playing our part to help reduce e-waste and landfill. Environmentally conscious.
Personal medical alarms are designed to keep people safe, not to sit in a drawer or end up in landfill once they are no longer needed. The APERS Recycle & Buyback Program gives families, providers and support coordinators a simple way to return eligible APERS devices, recover some of the original cost and help reduce electronic waste.
Depending on the age and condition of the unit, we may offer up to $100 as a buyback amount for privately purchased Home Companion devices. Every device returned helps us repair, reuse or recycle equipment so fewer personal alarms end up in landfill.
Important: Devices supplied, funded or subsidised through government programs such as NDIS, Support at Home or CHSP are not eligible for a buyback payment, but we are happy to accept them for recycling.
We always aim to be as sustainable and eco-friendly as we possibly can be. One of the ways we do this is via our Recycle & Buyback Program.
Why APERS offers a recycle & buyback option
When a personal alarm is no longer needed, families are often unsure what to do with it. Many devices are still in good working order, or can be refurbished, yet they are quietly thrown away.
The APERS Buyback Program aims to:
- Reduce electronic waste by keeping usable devices out of landfill
- Refurbish and rehome suitable personal alarms where appropriate
- Recover parts from non-working units so fewer new components need to be manufactured
- Give private clients a small financial return where devices still hold value
It is one of the ways we at APERS is working towards more sustainable, circular use of our personal alarm technology.
How the APERS Buyback Program works
- Get in touch with us: Contact APERS by phone, email or our contact form and let us know you are interested in the Buyback Program. We will ask a few questions about the device condition and whether it was privately purchased.
- Eligibility check and indicative value: We confirm whether the device is eligible for buyback. If it was privately purchased and meets the basic criteria, we will give you an indicative buyback amount. The final value is confirmed after we have received and inspected the device.
- Send the device to APERS: Simply post the device to us, following the instructions we provide. In most cases we will ask you to return the base unit, pendant and charger together so we can test them as a complete system.
- Final inspection and buyback offer: Our team checks that the device is safe and in the condition described. We then confirm the final buyback amount, up to $100 depending on age, model and condition.
- Payment and sustainable processing: Once you accept the offer, we process payment and move the device into our reuse, refurbishment or recycling stream.
At every step, our team is available to answer questions so you know exactly what will happen with the returned equipment.
Buyback Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for a buyback payment, a device must:
- Be an APERS supplied Home Companion personal alarm model that we still support
- Have been purchased privately, not supplied via a government funding program
- Be in safe, reasonable condition, with key parts such as base unit, pendant and charger present
A device is not eligible for a payment if it:
- Was supplied, funded or subsidised under NDIS, Support at Home, CHSP or another government funding program
- Is an old outdated model, stained, dirty or badly damaged
- Is a Freedom Friend or Safety Mate
You can still send it to APERS so it can be reused for parts or recycled rather than going to landfill.
Recycling of funded devices
Many APERS personal alarms are provided as part of a funded support through:
- The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- The Support at Home program (previously HCP)
- The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
Where a device has been supplied, funded or subsidised under one of these government programs:
- It is not eligible for a buyback payment
- The client or provider remains responsible for following any program rules about ending or replacing equipment
- APERS can still accept the device for responsible recycling as part of our sustainability efforts
For providers and coordinators, this offers a straightforward option: funded devices can be sent back to APERS for reuse or recycling.
What happens to returned personal alarms?
We treat every returned device as a resource, not rubbish. Depending on the condition and model, an APERS personal alarm may be:
- Refurbished for reuse: Suitable devices are tested, cleaned and reset, in accordance with Australian Standard AS_4607 Personal Response Systems, then used as replacement units or in controlled programs where refurbished equipment is appropriate.
- Used for spare parts: Where the device itself is not suitable to reuse, some internal components may be harvested as spare parts, reducing the number of brand-new parts that need to be manufactured.
- Responsibly recycled: Any components that cannot be reused are recycled wherever possible.
This approach supports a more sustainable life cycle for APERS technology and gives providers and families confidence that devices are being handled responsibly.
Sustainability benefits for providers and coordinators
For NDIS providers, Support at Home providers, CHSP services and support coordinators, the APERS recycling option supports your own sustainability goals by:
- Offering a clear pathway for end-of-life equipment, whether it was privately purchased or government funded
- Reducing the number of personal alarms and accessories sent to landfill
- Supporting a more circular approach to personal alarm hardware and components
You can reassure clients and families that their old personal alarm is being treated with care and respect, not simply thrown away.
Why recycle with APERS instead of putting devices in the bin?
Personal alarms contain batteries and other components that do not belong in household rubbish. Using the APERS Buyback and recycling options helps to:
- Reduce the amount of electronic waste going to landfill
- Recover valuable materials where possible
- Ensures devices are dismantled safely
- Demonstrates to clients and families that equipment is being handled responsibly
How to get started
To arrange a buyback or recycling assessment:
- Call us at APERS and ask about the Buyback Program, or
- Email us with the device details and, if possible, photos, or
- Use our contact form and ask us about returns or buyback
Please include:
- You or your clients name
- Type of personal alarm – eg. Home Companion, Freedom Friend or Safety Mate
- A short description of the condition
- Whether it was privately purchased or funded (NDIS, Support at Home, CHSP, etc.)
We will let you know the next steps, including eligibility, any indicative buyback amount and how to send the device to us.
Speak with a Consultant
To discuss our Recycle & Buyback Program, speak with one of our APERS consultants. Contact us or request a callback.
FAQ's
Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, please contact us. Our friendly team are here to assist.
Do I need proof that the device was privately purchased?
We do not need proof of purchase, we just need the name of the person who had the alarm, as we have purchase records on file. We will be able to lookup our system to view the age of your personal alarm.
How long does the buyback process usually take?
Timeframes depend on postage and how many devices are being assessed, but as a guide you can expect:
- A response to your initial enquiry within a short period, and
- An inspection and final offer soon after the device arrives at APERS.
We will outline current timeframes when you first contact us.
Who covers the cost of postage?
In most cases, the sender is responsible for packaging and postage to APERS. When you contact us, we will suggest the safest and most economical way to send the device. Occasionally, we may run special offers that include prepaid labels, and if that applies we will let you know.
Can I send multiple devices in one shipment?
Yes. If you have several APERS devices, mention this when you contact us. We can advise how to pack them and confirm which ones are being assessed for buyback and which are being sent for recycling only.
What if I am acting on behalf of an estate or as a provider?
Executors, family members, support coordinators and providers are all welcome to use the program. Just let us know your role when you contact us so we can address any questions about consent, documentation and payment details.
Can I get a definite buyback amount before I send the device?
We can usually give you an indicative range based on the model, age and your description. The final buyback offer is only confirmed after our technicians have inspected the device in person to check the condition.
Can you accept non-APERS devices for recycling?
Our program is designed for APERS equipment. In some cases we may be able to accept other brands as part of a broader recycling batch, especially where they were used alongside APERS devices, but this is considered on a case-by-case basis and does not involve a buyback payment.
Is there a time limit after purchase to be eligible for buyback?
There is no fixed “expiry date”, but newer devices in good condition are more likely to attract a higher offer. Very old models may be suitable only for recycling. When we check the age, we will advise whether a buyback assessment is worthwhile or whether recycling is the more realistic outcome.
