New Trial to Keep Batteries Out of Landfills
Published on 09 October 2024
Wingecarribee Shire Council is participating in a new NSW government trial to help residents safely dispose of small, built-in batteries found in wireless devices, light-up toys, and disposable vapes.
As part of the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) led trial, community members can bring these items FREE of charge to the designated bins at the Wingecarribee Community Recycling Centre (CRC), located at 177 Berrima Road, Moss Vale.
The two-year trial will help the EPA assess the types and quantities of embedded-battery products brought to Community Recycling Centers (CRCs) by residents, informing future management decisions.
Wingecarribee Shire Council Waste Services Manager Barry Arthur commended the initiative and encouraged residents to get involved to help prevent harmful materials from ending up in landfill.
“The trial is an exciting opportunity to help keep embedded-battery products from being mistakenly disposed of through kerbside waste collection,” he said.
“Batteries are made of highly combustible materials, causing significant issues across the industry with fires in collection trucks and facilities. They also contain chemical substances that can be harmful to human health and the environment,” said Barry.
Wingecarribee is one of 21 council-operated Community Recycling Centres involved in the two-year trial.
A full list of acceptable items and collection locations can be found here, https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse/household-recycling-overview/embedded-batteries If you have an unusual product that you cannot find on the list, you can check if it can be accepted by contacting Wingecarribee Shire Community Recycling Centre.
Please note that many products do have removable batteries, so if the batteries can be easily removed, please only bring the loose batteries.
For more information on our Recycling Centre and opening times please visit our web page at: https://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/Residents/Waste-and-Recycling/Resource-Recovery-Centre