In today's tech-driven world, our reliance on electronic devices is ever-growing, and so is the concern surrounding electronic waste (e-waste).
Old mobile phones, rechargeable batteries, and lead-acid batteries from cars and power tools often contain toxic materials. These materials can harm the environment and human health.
However, not all batteries are the same, especially when it comes to properly disposing of them at the end of their life.
Australia is no stranger to the challenge of e-waste management, generating substantial electronic waste annually. The surge in electronic consumption, coupled with rapid technological advancements, has resulted in a growing pile of discarded electronic devices and batteries.
The disposal of old car batteries and other electronic waste, if not managed properly, can lead to severe environmental consequences.
Improper disposal of e-waste in landfill sites can release hazardous waste and toxic metals into the environment, leading to environmental degradation and increasing carbon emissions.
Increasingly, we see batteries embedded in these electronic devices that are difficult or impossible to remove.
As the battery casing corrodes, chemicals leach into the soil and make their way into our water supply. Eventually, they reach the ocean. Lithium in batteries reacts in a volatile way when exposed; lithium can even cause landfill fires that can burn underground for years.
In lead-acid battery manufacturing, sulphuric acid is used to activate the lead elements in the battery to produce the power effect.
If lead-acid batteries are disposed of in a solid waste landfill or illegally dumped, the lead and sulfuric acid can seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater, potentially affecting the quality of our drinking water supply.
This may come as a surprise to you, but no battery should ever be put in your normal household bin - even if it is a recycling bin!
Mixing batteries with other waste can cause fires and is a hazard for the people and organisations who have to manage waste.
It is estimated that only 10% of used handheld batteries are collected for recycling in Australia, prior to B-cycle initiating their free collection services. This is low by international standards and means that 90% are going to landfills or disposed of incorrectly.
B-cycle estimates that approximately 150 million household batteries are ready for recycling across Australia. However, 63% of people threw batteries into their household bins before B-cycle launched.
The BSS considers that the cost of collecting and sorting batteries is the most significant barrier to developing an effective battery recycling regime in Australia.
The BSS operates through imposing a levy on imported batteries. This is passed on to consumers in battery prices.
Unfortunately, Australia is still not regulating the disposal of Li-Ion battery waste, and this is a huge area for improvement.
Recycling batteries plays a pivotal role in waste reduction and the responsible use of finite natural resources. This encompasses batteries from mobile phones, household devices, rechargeable batteries, and even old car batteries. The recycling process involves:
Batteries are a risk to human health and the environment if disposed of inappropriately. They also contain valuable metals such as cadmium, zinc, mercury, manganese, cobalt, and rare earth metals that may be recovered to reduce the use of finite natural resources.
The B-cycle program can safely handle:
These types of batteries have to be treated differently:
DO:
DON'T:
Learn more about: Australia's Landfill Statistics
Batteries that are bulging, corroded, leaking, or showing burn marks are dangerous and can also cause fires.
Package the battery or device in a non-flammable material such as sand or kitty litter as soon as possible and take them to a waste management centre or hazardous household waste collection point for disposal.
Drop off your collected batteries regularly (store for a maximum of 6 months).
Battery recycling serves as a crucial step in reducing waste and lessening the environmental footprint of hazardous waste while championing the reuse of valuable resources. By responsibly disposing of your batteries, you actively contribute to a cleaner environment and reduce carbon emissions linked to landfill disposal.
Local councils across Australia have recognized the urgency of addressing e-waste concerns. They've joined forces with sustainability initiatives like Sustainability Victoria and the Victorian government to establish vital drop-off points for battery recycling. These collaborative efforts simplify residents' contributions to waste reduction and environmental protection.
For your convenience, numerous locations, including Aldi stores and Officeworks stores, now offer dedicated drop-off points for battery recycling. These establishments make it easy for you to recycle batteries, whether they're from mobile phones, power tools, or household devices.
With over 3,200 drop-off points across Australia, sending your battery waste to the right place has never been easier.
As a consumer, you have a crucial role to play. Make sure you correctly dispose of your batteries at drop-off points located at:
Until recently, when your batteries ran flat or no longer held a charge, you had only two choices: illegally toss them in a landfill where they’ll leach toxic chemicals into the ground and water or send them to a recycler who uses an inefficient, polluting smelter, capturing little material for reuse.
Fortunately, Victoria has a new, eco-friendly choice for battery recycling: ReSource.
Home to the first AI-powered x-ray sorter for mixed batteries in the southern hemisphere for maximum material recovery, ReSource makes it simple and safe to dispose of your batteries as a B-Cycle Accredited vendor.
And, unlike other battery recyclers, we can safely process any batteries, including Li-ion batteries, thanks to advanced fire suppression tech. By not using smelting methods, we use 1/25th the energy of traditional recyclers.
Battery recycling is a straightforward yet impactful strategy to combat e-waste and mitigate the environmental consequences of hazardous materials. By utilizing the provided drop-off points and transfer stations, courtesy of local councils and sustainability organizations, you can securely dispose of old batteries while contributing to a more sustainable future for Australia and the world.
Together, we can drive positive change, ensuring the safe recycling of batteries and championing environmental responsibility and resource conservation.
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