Thoroughly clean any spilled material with an absorbent pad. Send the lithium material and anything you use to clean it to your local hazardous waste facility.
Keep battery contact surfaces and battery compartment contacts clean by rubbing them with a clean pencil eraser or a rough cloth each time you replace batteries. Remove batteries from a device when it is not expected to be in use for several months and while it is being powered by household (AC) current.
Place batteries in a sealed box or bag. Transport the container directly to the battery drop-off point, ensuring it is not left unattended in a vehicle at any time. Stay positive and drop-off your batteries for recycling! Clean Up Australia inspires and works with communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment.
Check your local council and recycling centres to find where to recycle your used batteries; some supermarkets and DIY centres also offer battery recycling capabilities. When disposing of a leaking battery, make sure to place the affected battery into a non-metal container (to avoid further damage) and avoid contact with your skin.
How do you dispose of batteries during bushfire season?
As we head into bushfire season, it's even more important to dispose of our batteries properly, by taking advantage of battery recycling programs and drop-off events. Batteries have caused an increase in bin fires, like this one earlier this year. Picture: CFS How to dispose of e-waste and batteries year-round
Find your nearest accredited B-cycle drop-off point or other participating battery drop-off points via Recycle Mate. Place batteries in a sealed box or bag. Transport the container directly to the battery drop-off point, ensuring it is not left unattended in a vehicle at any time. Stay positive and drop-off your batteries for recycling!
WRWA would like to remind residents that they should not put their batteries in a waste bin, recycling sack or wheely bin. Loose batteries, or electricals with batteries hidden inside, do need to be recycled separately. You'll find advice on where you can drop them off on our website.