Embedded Battery Trial
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 at their end-of-life due to the different components and materials they’re made of. All batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, should never be disposed of in your kerbside landfill, recycling or FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bins as they contain chemical substances that can be harmful to human health and the environment.
The NSW EPA has established a trial, in partnership with Ballina Shire Council, to accept products with embedded batteries at Ballina Community Recycling Centre (CRC). Bring items with an embedded battery into the CRC at the Ballina Resource Recovery Centre for free, safe disposal.
What products are accepted at the Community Recycling Centre 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 ahead to the Resource Recovery Centre to see if it can be accepted.
Many products have removal batteries, so if the batteries can be easily removed, please only bring the loose batteries.
What products are not accepted as part of the Embedded Batteries Trial?
Products covered under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) should be directed to Council’s FREE 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.
For more information on the NTCRS, please visit: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/product-stewardship/products-schemes/television-computer-recycling-scheme
Oversize items are also not accepted. Check with the Resource Recovery team before presenting anything over 20kgs or that is bulky/requiring special delivery and/or more than one person from a manual handling perspective.
Are other Community Recycling Centres participating in the Embedded Batteries trial?
There are 34 Community Recycling Centres participating in the Embedded Batteries Trial, including Lismore and Kyogle in our region. Visit www.epa.nsw.gov.au/embedded-batteries to find other trial locations.
How long is the Embedded Batteries Trial for?
The Embedded Batteries Trial began September 2024 and will run until September 2026.
How can other batteries be recycled?
Car batteries can be recycled at any Community Recycling Centre.
Loose handheld (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, 6V and button cell batteries) can be recycled at the following locations:
Once your battery is used, tape both ends of the battery terminals, store them in a safe location, out of reach of children before dropping them of at your nearest battery recycling collection point.