Drop off used batteries and electronics for recycling
Batteries and electronics can cause fires. Don’t put them in any bin.
If you take used batteries and electronics to a drop-off point for recycling, you're giving them a new life and keeping harmful materials out of your bins and the environment. The valuable resources recovered from recycled batteries and electronics can be used to make new products. This reduces the environmental impacts of using new or raw materials. It’s a small act with a big impact on Victoria’s sustainable future.
Why it matters
Batteries and electronics placed in your household bins can cause fires. This could be in the trucks that collect them or at recycling facilities or landfills. Batteries and electronics also contain toxic substances that are harmful to you, your family and the environment.
Items with embedded batteries should not be put in any bin
Items with embedded batteries are more common than you’d think. If it lights up, makes a sound, moves, or needs charging, it probably has an embedded battery.
Before you dispose of any electronic item it’s important to check if it has an embedded battery. These items should not be put in any bin and need to be taken to an electronics recycling drop-off point instead. Common household items* that can contain embedded batteries include:
- 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 (e.g. 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.
- power tools.
*This list has been sourced from the NSW EPA website.
Tips and tricks
Find a drop-off point
You can check your council’s website to find your nearest battery or electronics recycling drop-off point or visit the following websites:
- B-cycle to find B-cycle drop-off points for regular AA & other size batteries, button batteries, rechargeable batteries and easily removable batteries
- Recycle Mate or Planet Ark to find out where selected materials can be recycled in your local area, including vapes.
- Energy Safe Victoria for further information and resources on lithium-ion battery safety
- Mobile Muster or Association for the Battery Recycling Industry for advice on disposing of lithium-battery products
How to safely store used batteries
You can safely store batteries by:
- covering the terminals of used batteries with clear sticky tape to prevent sparking and reduce the risk of fire
- storing taped batteries in a glass or plastic container that is not airtight (like a jam jar or ice cream tub). Do not store batteries in a metal container or with other metal objects
- storing batteries in a cool, dry place, away from heat sources
- keeping batteries away from children and pets.
Learn more about battery safety.
Find a small act that works for you
There are many easy ways to reduce waste and recycle more. Find small acts that work for you and be part of Victoria’s sustainable future.
