Keep batteries out of your bins
Did you know that the chemicals in batteries are highly flammable and the source of recent fires in our kerbside waste and recycling trucks?
Batteries and bins don’t mix, so make sure you are disposing of batteries correctly at one of our Bayside recycling locations listed below.
Incorrect disposal of batteries poses significant risks, including fires, environmental harm, and health hazards for workers managing our waste and recycling.
Thankfully, no one was injured in the recent battery fires, but improperly discarded batteries can cause considerable damage and disruption, endangering workers and requiring costly repairs and clean-ups.
The dangerous chemicals and metals in batteries can ignite if damaged or punctured in waste trucks and recycling facilities.
To help protect our environment and avoid potential hazards, it’s important that batteries from household devices or power tools are recycled properly. They should never be placed in kerbside general waste, recycling, or food and green waste bins.
Where to recycle batteries in Bayside
Council offers convenient battery drop-off locations, including:
- Bayside Corporate Centre – 76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham
- Beaumaris Library – 96 Reserve Road, Beaumaris
- Brighton Library – 14 Wilson Street, Brighton
- Sandringham Library - 8 Waltham Street, Sandringham
- Bayside Waste and Recycling Centre, 144 Talinga Road, Cheltenham
You can also drop off used batteries at participating supermarkets, hardware stores, and electronic retailers.
Recycling your batteries helps recover valuable materials such as lithium, which can be reused in the production of new products. This reduces the need to extract new raw materials and minimises the environmental footprint.
Tips for safe battery storage
Dead batteries have some residual charge, so it’s important to place sticky tape around the battery terminal before recycling to avoid accidental sparks or short circuits. A battery terminal is the electrical connection point of the battery.
Store used batteries in a container away from heat or direct sunlight until you can dispose of them properly.
Learn more about e-waste and what your disposal options are.
