Battery recycling is part of everyone's environmental responsibility. There are several types of power packs and many of them contain toxic metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. Recycling batteries prevents these toxic substances from going into landfills which will eventually contaminate soil and groundwater.
Some lithium batteries like the VoltX 12V 100Ah Lithium battery contain valuable materials like magnesium and zinc as well. These can be turned into something new by recycling, which will help reduce the amount of finite natural resources used in producing new batteries.
Where Can You Recycle Batteries in Australia?
There are plenty of recycling initiatives in the country from different companies and businesses. But first, keep in mind that you should never place your batteries in the recycling or waste bin. Lithium-ion and some rechargeable batteries are known to produce sparks that could start a fire or cause an explosion.
These are mostly the batteries used in power tools and gadgets such as laptops and mobile phones. To prevent this, it would be a good idea to put sticky tape around your battery terminals before recycling them.
Now, let's look at where you can recycle different types of batteries:
Small Batteries
Typical AA, AAA, and 9V batteries you use for your home devices can be brought to your local retailers that accept batteries for recycling. These include Aldi supermarkets, Officeworks, IKEA, and Battery World. If you happen to have a less common type of power pack, you can visit recyclingnearyou.com.au/batteries to check which retailers will accept them.
Car Batteries
Car batteries have the highest recycling rate out of all battery types. Tons of retailers and organizations such as Repco Auto Parts, Super Cheap Auto, and more have been supporting free car battery recycling, so you're likely to have no trouble looking for places you can bring them after use.
Power Tool Batteries
Recycling batteries for power tools is crucial particularly if they use older nickel-cadmium batteries. Cadmium is highly toxic and is considered a carcinogen as well, posing serious harm in case it leaks into the environment.
There are some council depots and retailers that recycle power tool batteries. For instance, Bunnings, Masters, and TradeTools offer a free pilot program for Tradies to kickstart power tool battery recycling. This service accepts power packs up to 500g in weight.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium is a highly reactive element, therefore, its recycling process is more complex. This is also why you might have a bit of a hard time finding a recycling centre for lithium batteries like LiFePO4 batteries.
They need to be handled by qualified technicians that are trained to work with high voltages to safely disassemble the battery into modules. After taking them apart, these professionals will assess which cells can still be reused and which ones should be recycled.
You can search for professional lithium battery recycling organisations via Green Directory if you have a lithium camping battery to recycle or go through a list of battery recycling drop-off centres near you.
There are local government sectors with battery recycling bins too and you can always search online for appropriate recycling services that will accept your battery pack. If you live in rural areas, there are services that take mail-in batteries too.
Currently, more countries are actively promoting lithium battery recycling due to its several economic and environmental benefits.
It will also be helpful to familiarise yourself with the B-cycle program. It has approximately 100 partner organisations across Australia that provide accessible recycling drop-off points to make the process more convenient for the general public.
You might be wondering what happens to your batteries after you take them to battery recycling centres. They're usually processed to recover plastics and metals which can be used to manufacture new batteries. Perhaps the most popular company that provides this service in the country is Envirostream.
Envirostream is Australia's first onshore battery processor. It takes in lithium, nickel metal, and alkaline batteries and prides itself on being able to recover 95% of the materials used in power packs for recycling. Steel, copper, and aluminium are typically recycled, while the batteries' active components such as graphite and lithium are used for the production of new li-ion batteries.
Now that you know where to bring your batteries for recycling, you're definitely ready to be a battery owner! Get your battery pack at Outbax today and enjoy the best prices plus free shipping. We have a collection of LiFePO4 batteries here so whether you're looking for a standard 12V 100Ah lithium battery or a couple of slimline lithium batteries, you're sure to get the best ones here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Where can I recycle used batteries in Australia?
You can recycle used batteries at B-cycle drop-off points, which are located in thousands of retail stores across Australia, including major supermarkets like Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi, as well as stores like Bunnings and Officeworks.
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Why is it dangerous to throw batteries in the regular bin?
It is dangerous because batteries can get damaged in garbage trucks and start fires. When they end up in landfills, their casings can corrode, leaking toxic chemicals into the soil and groundwater.
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What is B-cycle?
B-cycle is Australia's official government-backed battery recycling scheme. It provides a national network of drop-off locations to make it easy and free for the public to recycle used batteries.
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How should I prepare my batteries before recycling them?
Before dropping them off, you must tape the "terminals" or ends of each used battery with clear sticky tape. This prevents them from rubbing together and sparking, which is a serious fire hazard.
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Is it free to recycle batteries?
Yes, using the B-cycle drop-off points at participating retailers is a free service for the public.
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Which types of household batteries can I recycle?
You can recycle most common household batteries, including single-use batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V), button cells (from watches and hearing aids), and rechargeable batteries from items like cameras, power tools, laptops, and mobile phones.
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Which major retailers accept batteries for recycling?
Major retailers with B-cycle collection bins include Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Bunnings, and Officeworks.
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What happens to batteries after they are recycled?
After collection, the batteries are sorted by their chemical type. They are then broken down, and valuable materials like zinc, manganese, steel, lithium, and cobalt are extracted and separated so they can be reused to make new products.
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Can car batteries be recycled through B-cycle?
No, the B-cycle scheme does not accept car batteries. You should take those to a dedicated car battery recycler or a scrap metal dealer.
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What are the environmental benefits of recycling batteries?
The main environmental benefit is preventing toxic materials like cadmium, mercury, and lead from polluting the soil and water. It also reduces the need to mine for new raw materials.
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Why is taping battery terminals so important?
Taping the terminals is a critical safety step because it insulates the connection points. This prevents batteries from coming into contact with each other or other metal objects, which could create a spark and ignite a fire in the collection bin or during transport.
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How do I find my closest battery recycling location?
You can find your nearest B-cycle drop-off point by visiting the B-cycle website and searching for your suburb or postcode.
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What percentage of battery waste ends up in landfill?
According to the article, a staggering 90% of Australia's battery waste currently ends up in landfill, highlighting the importance of using recycling programs.
