How to recycle used batteries

Our lives are powered by an array of batteries, from the humble AAs to the sophisticated rechargeable cells in our tech gadgets, power tools and electric vehicles. Different battery types are made from different materials. So, what’s the proper way to dispose of them once they no longer work?

Batteries must be recycled rather than dumped. But they can’t go in your home recycling bins. In the past, only limited parts of New Zealand had battery recycling facilities. But that’s changing. Batteries can now be recycled across a large part of the country, and more facilities are being established.

Why we must recycle batteries

In the landfill, batteries can get squashed and punctured. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries can ignite and start serious fires.

“With the increase in use of personal electronic items, there has been an increase in fires caused by damaged batteries, particularly lithium-ion. The frontline workers of our waste operators, recycling facilities and landfills face this danger every day.” – WasteMINZ spokesperson

WasteMINZ is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest representative body for the waste, resource recovery and contaminated land sectors, working towards improved sustainability.

Batteries can also release hazardous substances, including heavy metals. Rainwater mixes with these substances, producing toxic waste that soaks into the earth – known as leachate.

If the leachate reaches groundwater, it can poison water supplies and aquatic ecosystems in downstream areas. The heavy metals common in batteries (including lead, mercury, and cadmium) can cause organ damage, even at low levels of exposure. They can also cause cancer.

Recycling your batteries and electronics with built-in batteries minimises these hazards. It also recovers valuable metals, which helps to conserve the Earth’s resources by reducing the amount we extract through mining.

What happens to batteries dropped off for recycling?

Lead-acid batteries (common in vehicles) are collected and recycled in New Zealand. Currently, other battery types are collected and either recycled overseas or stored until we can recycle them in New Zealand.

The Environmental Protection Authority holds a register of permits issued to companies authorised to export batteries. These companies only work with overseas recyclers that have safe recycling practices, preventing harm to people and the environment.

What changes are coming?

The Battery Industry Group, with over 170 stakeholders, is working on a product stewardship scheme for large batteries in accordance with the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. As part of the scheme, all large batteries will be tracked on their arrival into New Zealand to ensure their lives are maximised.

Once these batteries no longer work well for their original application, they’ll be repurposed. For example, Li-ion electric vehicle batteries eventually stop doing a good job of powering vehicles, but they can still be used to store energy from solar panels or in other applications for a time.

The batteries will only be recycled when they have no usable life remaining, and they’ll never go to landfill. Their metals and other valuable materials will be reused to make new batteries and other products.

Different types of batteries

“Disposable” batteries

Non-rechargeable batteries are often referred to as “disposable” or “single use”, but these terms are confusing. In our view, all batteries should be recycled even if your local council allows some types to be thrown out with general household waste.

Alkaline, lithium, carbon zinc, zinc-air and silver oxide are common non-rechargeable types. You’ll find them as AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, 9-volt and button cells. They power our TV remotes, clocks, smoke alarms, torches and lanterns, watches, hearing aids, medical devices, cameras, toys, and other small electronics.

Rechargeable batteries

Some rechargeables are charged by removing the battery from the device and using a specialist charger. Others are built into the device, and the device works as a charger when plugged into mains power (or when the motor’s running, in the case of many vehicles).

They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) or lithium polymer (LiPo) are the most common type in modern electronics such as phones, laptops and tablets, power banks, wireless headphones, portable speakers, action cameras, vapes/e-cigarettes, power tools, e-bikes and e-scooters, vehicles, and in place of “disposable” AAs and AAAs in home electronics.

There are also nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries in older phones, power tools, laptops, and electric vehicles.

Lead-acid (Pb) batteries power cars, motorcycles, boats, mobility scooters and wheelchairs. They might be labelled VRLA (valve regulated lead acid) or SLA (sealed lead acid).

If you need help identifying your batteries, contact your local recycling facility.

Where can you recycle batteries?

You can recycle batteries at various places around New Zealand, including many community centres, zero waste hubs, recycling centres, libraries, hardware stores (Bunnings, in particular), landfill and transfer stations, and some regional council offices.

Lead-acid batteries might not be accepted at the same recycling facilities as small household batteries, but you can usually return them to the battery supplier when buying a replacement. That’s also the case for specialist batteries such as button cells for hearing aids bought from a specialist retailer.

WasteMINZ has a map showing both free and paid battery recycling facilities across the country plus other helpful information on its website (wasteminz.org.nz).

More recycling facilities are coming

There are hundreds more battery recycling facilities coming throughout New Zealand, thanks to Phoenix Metalman Recycling. It’s a nationwide recycling business that processes scrap metal, batteries and other electronic waste. Phoenix is Toitū Envirocare Net Carbon Zero certified. You can learn more about them at phoenixrecycling.co.nz.

In addition, the Zero Waste Network advised us that there are new community recycling centres (or Zero Waste Hubs) starting up each year. And, as with the existing ones, many will take batteries and other electronic waste. The Zero Waste Network represents community enterprises across Aotearoa New Zealand working towards zero waste.

“WasteMINZ’s battery working group, which has representation from local councils, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and private recycling organisations, is working to help councils and private entities understand best practice when it comes to setting up a battery collection facility, so there can be a wider network of collection facilities across the motu.” – WasteMINZ spokesperson

How to prepare batteries for recycling

There are some things you can do to help the recycling process and keep yourself and recycling workers safe.

• Take care when handling batteries. Leaking batteries can cause skin burns. If your batteries show signs of leaking or other damage, wear chemical-resistant gloves when handling. Don’t leave small button cells lying around near young children or animals. If ingested, batteries can cause serious harm or even death.

• Don’t put leaking or damaged batteries into battery recycling bins. They’ll contaminate other batteries. Contact your local transfer station or council to find out where they should be dropped off for processing safely. There should be a designated area for hazardous waste.

• Remove batteries from gadgets if you can safely. Products with built-in batteries (such as headphones, portable speakers, smartwatches, bike lights, vapes/e-cigarettes, and 10-year smoke alarms) should be dropped off at an electronic waste recycling facility. Ask your local council for options and call the recycler ahead of your visit to check what they accept.

• Store batteries in a glass container in a cool, dry place until you can recycle them. Never store batteries in a metal container or with metal objects, as their terminals can react with the metal and create sparks.

• Tape the battery terminals with electrical insulation tape before storing or dropping them off for recycling. That way, they won’t react when they come into contact with other batteries or metal objects, which could spark a fire.

• Only put loose batteries into battery recycling bins. Take your storage bags or containers home with you.

“Battery collection facilities can have different requirements for how batteries should be prepared prior to drop-off, and what types of batteries they can receive. We encourage people to check with their local facility before they arrive.” – WasteMINZ spokesperson

Other ways you can reduce electronic waste

Use rechargeable batteries when you can. It’ll reduce the number of batteries you need to buy and dispose of. It’s also more cost-effective over time.

Buy products that have easy-to-replace batteries, wherever possible. It’ll keep products going instead of becoming electronic waste unnecessarily quickly. It might save you money, too.

“Over the last couple of years particularly, more products are coming to the market with rechargeable batteries inside them. Some products are manufactured so that the batteries cannot be replaced.” – Karen Driver, chairperson, Zero Waste Network Board

We need to fight against this trend by choosing products that have easy-to-replace parts and batteries, supporting sustainable design. Sign our petition for manufacturers to have mandatory repairability labels.