This winter, we’re asking the community to think carefully about what happens to their used batteries.
Batteries should never go in household bins or landfill waste. Even when they look flat, they can still cause fires if damaged, crushed or compacted, putting waste workers, collection trucks, waste facilities and the environment at risk.
When it comes to batteries, don’t bin it, bring it.
Here are five things every household should know about disposing of batteries safely.
1. Batteries don’t belong in any bin
Batteries should never be placed in general waste, recycling or FOGO bins, including kerbside wheelie bins. They also need to be kept out of skip bins, hard waste and landfill loads taken to the Ulverstone Resource Recovery Centre.
When batteries are crushed or compacted with other waste, they can spark and start fires in bins, collection trucks, waste facilities and landfill areas.
Keep batteries separate and take them to a battery recycling point.
2. Flat batteries can still start fires
A battery that appears flat may still hold enough charge to spark if damaged, crushed or its terminals touch another battery or metal object.
This can put waste workers, collection trucks, waste facilities and the wider community at risk.
3. Look for batteries hiding in household items
It’s not just loose batteries that need to be kept out of landfill and general waste.
Common household items containing batteries include mobile phones, vapes, power banks, toys, power tools, laptops, electric toothbrushes and e-scooters.
Check items before throwing them away and remove the batteries where it is safe to do so. Items containing batteries should also be taken to an appropriate recycling point.
4. Tape small batteries before you take them
Before storing or transporting small household batteries, cover the terminals with clear sticky tape.
This helps stop them touching other batteries or metal objects, reducing the risk of sparks and fires.
Keep batteries somewhere cool and dry until you are ready to drop them off.
5. Bring them to a free recycling point
Household and car batteries can be recycled free of charge at the Ulverstone Resource Recovery Centre, 106 Lobster Creek Road, West Ulverstone.
Keep batteries separate from your landfill or general waste load and drop them off for recycling.
Smaller household batteries can also be placed in collection bins at Council’s Administration Centre in Ulverstone and Service Centre in Penguin.
One small battery can cause a big problem. Safe disposal helps protect waste workers, collection trucks, waste facilities, the community and the environment.
When it comes to batteries, don’t bin it, bring it.
