Battery Recycling: Where & How to Recycle your Old Batteries

You guys, we have a problem. A little problem. Actually a big problem with something little: batteries. Those miraculous little pellets of power that cleverly keep our electronics cord-free and running. They’re very good, but there’s something we’re not very good at: recycling the darn things. 

You think battery recycling would be easy, and you would be right, but apparently you are also not - most Aussies have no idea what to do. In fact, according to CSIRO, 90% of lithium-ion batteries we use in Australia are getting foisted into landfill. That’s nine out of 10 of these very-recyclable little beauties being chucked into the bleak, dark abyss when they could be going out living their second or third lives, reformed and refashioned for the next person to enjoy and responsibly use. And that’s just not right.

Now, we can tell that you’re obviously very concerned and the one person out of ten that does recycle their batteries (if you’re not, let’s just pretend you are, or take this opportunity to start now. OK, go!).  

We’re concerned, too. It isn’t OK. Our environment is suffering. Batteries are horrendously damaging to our soil and water, and they belong in a recycling bin, not in the earth.

So, join us, and help us provide the example the world (and in your case, your workplace) so desperately needs. 

Battery Recycling Leadership 101

1. Set yourself and your workspace apart and make an eco-friendly impression on your colleagues with our desktop battery recycling bins
   
   
2. Intercept any batteries being thrown in the bin by hapless workmates. Note: bonus points for dramatic dives and sound effects, followed by the side-eye for your troubles.
   
   
3. Once filled with your workplace’s used batteries, tape the battery terminals (or connections) with non-conductive tape, and take your little black bin into your local battery recycling point: collection points at Aldi, Battery World, Bunnings, Officeworks, Woolworths and some IGAs. Note: stops bin fires, saves supermarkets and workplaces from spontaneous combustion
   
   
4. Encourage everyone to join your efforts, and save the Earth (it is, after all, theirs to save, too!)

Success! 

You’ve saved the first batch of your work’s landfill-bound batteries and sent them on their way to be reused. 

What happens next? Well, battery recycling means that toxic battery metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, magnesium and zinc have been kept out of the dump. You’ve halted the leaching of those batteries into surrounding soil and groundwater, and saved resources from having to be mined further to make new ones. 

Look at you, being an Earth Champion. Stand proud. Give yourself a pat on the back. Now for those nine others to follow suit and start their battery recycling journeys! 

All because you got yourself a battery recycling bin and set a good example. What an effort, and remarkably easy to achieve.

Help us save the world, one battery at a time. Join the Ecomovement today.