Battery Recycling Program

• Why recycle
• What else can I do to help?
• How are batteries recycled?


• What can I do with other types of batteries?

Household or dry-cell batteries are those batteries that we use in everyday items such as radios, cameras, and children's toys. It is estimated that on average, each person will use 18 batteries a year and a household with children will use an astounding 109 batteries each year.

When batteries are landfilled, their casings disintegrate and metals and chemicals used within the battery can leach into the surrounding environment.

In order to prevent this happening, Kiama Council has implemented a battery collection and recycling program by providing specially marked bins in the Kiama Library.

By separating your batteries from ordinary household rubbish, these valuable resources can be recycled into a range of new products, such as street lights and car parts, rather than go to waste.

The vibrant new battery recycling bins are designed with a slot in the top to allow batteries to be easily and safely deposited.

 

The types of batteries accepted include:

• AA and AAA cells (single use & rechargeable batteries)
• C and D sized batteries
• button batteries (e.g. from watches)
• 9V batteries
• 6V batteries (e.g. lantern/torch batteries)

 

 

Why shouldn't I put batteries in my household rubbish bins?

When dry-cell batteries (alkaline or single-use batteries) are landfilled, their casings disintegrate and metals and chemicals used within the battery can leach into the surrounding environment. This battery recycling program offers a safe disposal method to capture dry-cell batteries from the household waste stream, ensuring disposal does not damage our sensitive environment.

What else can I do to help - Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

• Check to see if you already have batteries on hand before purchasing more.
• When appropriate, buy hand operated items that function without batteries.
• Look for batteries that have less mercury and other heavy metals.
• Consider using rechargeable batteries (also known as secondary batteries) and battery chargers (only for rechargeable batteries).

How are the batteries recycled?

Battery World will collect and sort all batteries by chemistry type. They are then sent on to the respective recyclers in Australia and overseas. Australia currently does not have the technology and services required to recycle rechargeable batteries so they will be processed overseas by a company specialising in the recovery of nickel and cadmium to strict environmental standards.

The recovered metals are made into other products while the cadmium can be returned to battery manufacturers to create a fully closed loop recycling system. All single-use (alkaline) batteries collected through the Battery World battery recycling program, will be recycled at a facility in right here in the Illawarra!. Zinc and Manganese Dioxide is also recovered through this process.

Steel, zinc and manganese are recycled from the everyday alkaline battery. The steel goes to Bluescope Steel to make new products such as steel beams to support houses. Zinc is used for galvanizing products such as light posts found on street corners. Manganese is used for making new batteries and steel alloys.

Note:

• Please place any broken, leaking or rusting batteries into a plastic bag before placing them into the battery bin.
• Store batteries in a cool, dry, shaded, well-ventilated area.
• Car batteries will not be accepted. If you have car batteries for disposal you can drop them off at the Minnamurra Waste and Recycling Depot free of charge.

What can I do with other types of batteries?

Rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable batteries (also known as secondary batteries) can also go into the Battery World battery recycling bins. The rechargeables will be separated from the alkaline (also known as single use) batteries, and sent either to France or Singaporefor recycling. Australia does not currently have a facility for recycling rechargeable batteries.

Lead acid batteries (e.g. car batteries)

Lead acid batteries (also known as as wet cell batteries) cannot be disposed of in the battery recycling bins.  Take them to the Minnamurra Waste and Recycling Depot for free disposal.