Batteries

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

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)

Why recycle batteries?

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. Batteries are the most common form of household hazardous waste as 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 of these elements can be recovered and used to make new batteries if they are collected for recycling and processed correctly.

Rechargeable Batteries

Multi use (rechargeable) battery technology has vastly improved over the last few years and now they offer a good, cost effective alternative to single use devices. Rechargeable batteries can be recharged up to 1000 times before becoming exhausted, so they are the best environmental and economic alternative to single use. They are also recyclable.

These batteries also have several other environmental advantages, these being reduced packaging, reduced transportation needs and the resultant GHG production and reduced mining for virgin resources compared to single use.