Batteries (handheld tools)

Do not put batteries in any of your bins at home. Batteries can cause fires in trucks and waste facilities. 

Handheld device batteries are usually rechargeable and are becoming increasingly common in household items.

They are the most important to recycle as they are the most flammable and are especially sensitive to heat or being crushed. 

The handheld devices and power tools may contain a variety of different battery types, which could include Nickel Cadmium (NiCD, NC), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH, NM), and Lithium Ion (Li Ion) chemistries.

Remove the battery from the device and take them to the Community Recycling Centre, a Community Recycling Station, a Chemical CleanOut, or participating retailers such as Coles, Bunnings and Battery World.  Additional handheld and power tool battery recycling drop off locations can be found at B-cycle.

If the battery is embedded within a device then these can only be taken to a Community Recycling Centre and include items such as:

• Bluetooth speakers and headphones

• Electric toothbrushes

• E-scooters, e-bikes and hover boards

• Flashing/light up toys – particularly wands or other hard plastic products

• Personal care devices (eg. shavers)

• Powerpacks and portable charging devices

• Remote controlled and ride-on toys

• Vacuum cleaners (cordless hand-held and robotic)

• Vapes

• Wearable devices such as smart watches, trackers and medical aids

Council has partnered with Envirostream to recycle batteries collected at Council facilities. Envirostream’s battery recycling technology is able to recover around 95 per cent of the materials that make up a battery, with no incineration involved.  This includes plastic, nickel, steel and lithium that are given a new life.

Follow the link to learn more about how to take charge of your battery waste.