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.