24 February 2023
It’s another recycling win for the Southern Downs with the arrival of dedicated collection points for the safe and controlled disposal of household batteries at the region’s supervised waste facilities.
Disposing of batteries through regular rubbish collections can pose a risk to the environment and public health, so Southern Downs Regional Council has partnered with experienced battery recycler, ecobatt to provide this free service to the community.
Director of Planning and Environmental Services Scott Riley said that expanding the region’s recycling capacity was a great step forward in providing modern and sustainable waste management practices.
“We all use batteries at home and work to power everything from watches to cars, yet less than three per cent of all batteries purchased in Australia are recycled,” Mr Riley said.
“Batteries are a growing waste item and they present potential fire and environmental risks when disposed of incorrectly.
“Recycling batteries is a more environmentally friendly option, diverting waste from landfill and reducing the harmful impact of chemicals on the environment.
“Batteries placed in general waste have a high incidence of causing fires in waste trucks and at waste facilities and this can result in serious environmental and safety hazards.
“Residents can easily keep on top of household battery recycling by having a dedicated empty ice cream container handy to collect and fill up until it is ready to be taken down to the waste facility.”
The new battery disposal points are clearly marked at all supervised waste facilities. Wheelie bins are located at both Warwick and Stanthorpe Waste Management Facilities and white 10-litre buckets are available at all other supervised waste facilities.
The following batteries are accepted for recycling: AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, power tool batteries, button cell batteries and other handheld sized batteries that fit in the collection units. This includes most batteries under 5kg.
Car battery (lead acid battery) disposal at Council’s supervised waste management facilities remains the same.
Last edited date 24 Feb 2023