Batteries and small e-waste

All batteries and small e-waste can be disposed of FOR FREE at the Shepparton, Ardmona and Murchison Resource Recovery Centres.

Batteries in the bin spark many fires every year. Batteries of all types can be found in everyday items. Laptops, phones, toys, and vapes can contain hidden batteries, and CANNOT be disposed in your bins at home.

What types of batteries?

All batteries can be taken to the Resource Recovery Centres, including:

  • Single-use and rechargable batteries, such as AA, AAA, C, D, 6 and 9 volt types, like the ones used in remote controls, toys, electronic devices, torches and battery powered tools
  • Mobile phone batteries
  • Lead acid batteries (from cars and motorbikes)

What types of small e-waste?

Vapes and e-cigarettes, electronic toys, toasters, hair dryers, alarm clocks, lamps, iPads, notebooks, tablets, smartphones and accessories, power tools, irons and other small electrical items.

More information regarding e-waste accepted at the Resource Recovery Centres.

Why is it important to keep batteries and e-waste out of kerbside bins?

Batteries are the most common form of household hazardous waste, and they can be found in nearly everything we use today. They contain eco-toxic metals and elements that can leach out into the environment when they are disposed of in landfill. These materials include nickel, cadmium, lead and mercury which can pollute soil and groundwater and be harmful to animals and humans.

Many batteries are highly sensitive to temperature changes and can easily catch fire when disposed of in household bins.

Fires can also ignite in collection vehicles and transfer stations, where batteries often come into contact with flammable waste, posing a serious risk.

Australians use millions of household batteries each year and 97 per cent of them end up in landfill, that’s over 8000 tonnes per year.

Many of these elements can be recovered and used to make new batteries if they are collected for recycling and processed correctly.

ALL batteries need to be disposed of properly (and safely).