Embedded batteries
Products with embedded batteries are becoming increasingly prevalent in our everyday lives. Chances are you might not even be aware of how many embedded batteries are collectively in your home.
Products with embedded batteries are considered problematic as they can be difficult to dispose of or recycle due to the different components and materials they are made of. All batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, should never be disposed of in your kerbside red, yellow or green bins as they contain chemical substances that can be harmful to human health and the environment.
The EPA has established a trial, in partnership with local councils, to accept products with embedded batteries at select Community Recycling Centre locations.
Products accepted as part of the embedded batteries trial
Common items you might have at home that may contain an embedded battery are:
- 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.
If you have an unusual product, please phone your embedded batteries trial location to check if it can be accepted.
Many products have removable batteries, so if the batteries can be easily removed, please only bring the loose batteries.
Products not accepted as part of the embedded batteries trial
Products covered under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) should be directed to your Council’s e-waste collection, usually also located at the Community Recycling Centre. This includes e-waste such as televisions, computers, printers, computer parts and peripherals. E-waste products containing an embedded battery, such as rechargeable gaming controllers and laptops, are accepted as part of the NTCRS rather than through the trial.
Mobile phones and associated accessories should be directed to your nearest MobileMuster collection point. MobileMuster is the product stewardship scheme for the collection and recycling of old and broken phones, chargers and accessories. These can be recycled at any MobileMuster location.
Oversize items are also not accepted. Check with your Council before presenting anything over 20kgs or that is bulky/requiring special delivery and/or more than one person from a manual handling perspective.
Community Recycling Centre trial sites
There are 21 Community Recycling Centres participating in the embedded batteries trial. Each location has varying operating times. It is recommended to check your local Council’s website before your trip.
| Community Recycling Centre | Address |
|---|---|
| Lake Macquarie | Awaba Community Recycling Centre 367 Wilton Road, Awaba Mon-Sun 8am-4pm |
| Newcastle | Summerhill Waste Management Centre Summerhill Road (off Minmi Road), Wallsend Mon - Fri 7:30am - 4:45pm Sat-Sun 9am - 2:45pm |
| Central Coast | Buttonderry Community Recycling Centre 850 Hue Hue Road, Jilliby Mon-Fri 7am-4pm Sat-Sun 8am-4pm |
| Artarmon | Northern Sydney Community Recycling Centre 8 Waltham Street, Artarmon Mon-Tues closed Wed, Thurs & Fri 8am-2pm Sat-Sun 8am-4pm |
| Inner West – Leichhardt | Leichhardt Weekend Transfer Station 50-54 Moore Street, Leichhardt Sat-Sun 7:45am-11:30am, 1pm-3:45pm |
| Blaxland | Blaxland Community Recycling Centre 28-30 Attunga Road, Blaxland Mon-Sun 8am-4:45pm |
| Hawkesbury | Hawkesbury City Waste Management Facility 1 The Driftway, South Windsor Every day 8am-4pm |
| Campbelltown | Campbelltown Community Recycling Centre 2 Hepher Road, Campbelltown Mon-Fri 9am-3pm Sat 7am-12noon |
| Liverpool | Liverpool Community Recycling Centre 99 Rose Street, Liverpool Mon-Sat 7am-3pm |
| Wollongong | Wollongong Community Recycling Centre 133 Reddalls Road, Kembla Grange Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm Sat-Sun 8am-4pm |
| Wingecarribee | Southern Highlands Community Recycling Centre 177 Berrima Road, Moss Vale Mon-Sat 7am-3:45pm |
| Port Macquarie | Port Macquarie Waste Management Facility Kingfisher Road, Port Macquarie Mon-Sun 8am - 4pm |
| Bellingen | Raleigh Waste Management Centre 146 Shortcut Road, Raleigh Wed-Mon 8am - 4pm (closed Tues) |
| Lismore | Lismore Community Recycling Centre 313 Wyrallah Road, East Lismore Mon-Fri 7:30am-3:30pm Sat-Sun 9am-4pm |
| Tamworth | Tamworth Waste Management Facility 123A Forest Road, Tamworth Mon-Sun 8am - 4:45pm |
| Bathurst | Bathurst Waste Management Centre 395 College Road, South Bathurst Mon- Fri 7:30am - 4:30pm Sat-Sun 8:30am-3pm |
| Dubbo | Whylandra Waste & Recycling Centre Cooba Road, Dubbo Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat-Sun 9am-5pm |
| Wagga Wagga | Gregadoo Waste Management Centre 132 Ashford Road, Gregadoo Mon-Sun 7am – 4:30pm |
| Albury | Albury Waste Management Centre 565 Mudge Street, off Centaur Road, Lavington Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat-Sun 9am-4pm |
| Shoalhaven | Shoalhaven Community Recycling Centre 120 Flatrock Road, Mundamia Mon-Sun 8am-5pm |
| Bega | Merimbula Waste & Recycling Depot Red Hill Road (off Sapphire Coast Drive), Tura Beach Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun 7:30am-4:30pm |
Length of embedded batteries trial
The embedded batteries trial will begin September 2024 and will run until September 2026.
Free recycling of other batteries
Loose handheld (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, 6V and button cell batteries, as well as detachable appliance, power tool or device batteries) can be recycled at the following locations:
- Community Recycling Centres
- Household Chemical CleanOut events
- Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, IGA and Bunnings
- at any B-cycle accredited location.
Car batteries can be recycled at any Community Recycling Centre or Household Chemical CleanOut event.
Once your battery is used, tape both ends of the battery terminals and store them in a safe location, out of reach of children, before dropping them off at your nearest battery recycling collection point.