Embedded batteries

Products with in-built batteries, known as "embedded batteries", are increasingly prevalent in our everyday lives. Chances are you might not even be aware of how many embedded batteries are in your home.

Products with embedded batteries are difficult to dispose of or recycle due to the different components and materials they are made of. Batteries should never be disposed of in your kerbside red, yellow or green lid bins as they contain chemical substances that can be harmful to human health and the environment and may catch fire in garbage trucks and waste facilities.

The EPA has established a trial, in partnership with local councils, to accept products with embedded batteries at selected Community Recycling Centre locations. 

The embedded batteries trial started in September 2024 and will run until September 2026.

Products accepted at the embedded batteries trial sites

Common items you might have at home that 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 your embedded batteries trial location to check if it can be accepted.

Many products have removable batteries, so if the batteries can be easily removed, please only bring the loose batteries.

Products not accepted under the embedded batteries trial

Products covered under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) should be directed to an e-waste collection. Some councils provide this service at their Community Recycling Centre or host a pop-up collection service.  This includes e-waste such as televisions, computers, printers, computer parts and peripherals. If you have one of these products and it contains an embedded battery, such as rechargeable gaming controllers and laptops, please drop off at an e-waste collection point. Check with your local council for an event near you. 

Mobile phones and associated accessories should be directed to your nearest MobileMuster collection point. MobileMuster is the product stewardship scheme for the collection and recycling of old and broken phones, chargers and accessories. These can be recycled at any MobileMuster location.

Oversize items (larger than 20kg) are also not accepted at embedded battery collection trial sites, except for e-bikes where the battery can't be removed. Check with your Council before presenting anything over 20kg or that is bulky/requires special delivery and/or requires more than one person from a manual handling perspective.

Free recycling of other batteries

For information on how to recycle all other batteries please visit Safe Battery Recycling 

Community Recycling Centre trial sites

There are now 34 Community Recycling Centres participating in the embedded batteries trial. Each location has varying operating times. It is recommended that you check your local Council’s website or visit cleanout.com.au before your trip.

Council Name of CRC Address 
Albury CityAlburyAlbury Waste Management Centre
565 Mudge Street, off Centaur Road Lavington
Armidale RegionalArmidale *NEW*Armidale Waste Management Facility
108 Long Swamp Road
Armidale
Ballina ShireBallina *NEW*Ballina Resource Recovery Centre
167 Southern Cross Drive
Ballina
Bathurst RegionalBathurstBathurst Waste Management Centre
395 College Road
South Bathurst
Bega Valley ShireBegaMerimbula Waste and Recycling Depot
Red Hill Road (off Sapphire Coast Drive)
Tura Beach
Bellingen ShireBellingenRaleigh Waste Management Centre
146 Shortcut Road
Raleigh
Blue Mountains CityBlaxlandBlaxland Waste Management Facility
28–30 Attunga Road
Blaxland
Katoomba *NEW*Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility
49 Woodlands Road
Katoomba
Campbelltown CityCampbelltownCampbelltown Community Recycling Centre
2 Hepher Road
Campbelltown
Central CoastButtonderryButtonderry Community Recycling Centre
850 Hue Hue Road
Jilliby
City of Newcastle SummerhillSummerhill Waste Management Centre
Summerhill Road (off Minmi Road)
Wallsend
CowraCowra *NEW*Cowra Material Recycling Facility
236 Glenlogan Road 
Cowra
Dubbo RegionalDubboWhylandra Waste & Recycling Centre
Cooba Road
Dubbo
Goulburn Mulwaree Goulburn *NEW*Goulburn Waste Management Centre
100 Sinclair Street
Goulburn
Greater HumeCulcairn *NEW*Culcairn Waste Management Facility
48 Schnaars Road
Culcairn
Hawkesbury CityHawkesburyHawkesbury City Waste Management Facility
1 The Driftway
South Windsor
Inner WestLeichardtLeichardt Weekend Transfer Station
50–54 Moore Street
Leichardt

Kempsey Shire

 

Kempsey *NEW*Kempsey Waste Management Centre
638 Crescent Head Road
Kempsey
Kiama MunicipalKiama *NEW*Minnamurra Waste and Recycling Depot
446 Riverside Drive
Minnamurra
KyogleKyogle *NEW*Kyogle Landfill Facility
Runnymede Road
Kyogle
Lake Macquarie CityAwabaAwaba Community Recycling Centre
367 Wilton Road
Awaba
Belmont North *NEW*Belmont North Community Recycling Centre
56–60 Floraville Road
Belmont North
LismoreLismoreLismore Community Recycling Centre
313 Wyrallah Road
East Lismore 
Lithgow CityLithgow *NEW*Lithgow Solid Waste Facility
68 Geordie Street
Lithgow
Liverpool CityLiverpoolLiverpool Community Recycling Centre
99 Rose Street
Liverpool  
Murray RiverMoama *NEW*Moama Waste Management Facility
91 Centre Road
Moama
Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of CouncilsNothern SydneyNorthern Sydney Community Recycling Centre
8 Waltham Street
Artarmon
Port Macquarie-HastingsPort MacquariePort Macquarie Waste Management Facility
Kingfisher Road
Port Macquarie
Randwick CityRandwick *NEW*Randwick Recycling Centre
72 Perry Street
Matraville
Shoalhaven CityShoalhavenWest Nowra Landfill Facility
120 Flatrock Road
Mundamia 
Tamworth RegionalTamworthTamworth Waste Management Facility
123A Forest Road
Tamworth 
Wagga Wagga CityWagga WaggaGregadoo Waste Management Centre
132 Ashford Road
Gregadoo 
Wingecarribee ShireWingecarribeeResource Recovery Centre
177 Berrima Road
Moss Vale
Wollongong CityWollongongWollongong Community Recycling Centre
133 Reddalls Road
Kembla Grange