Secondary Batteries (rechargeable batteries) in the Alexandrina Council area
Take a quick look around your home and you'd be surprised to see that you use batteries in most common household items. Items such as laptop computers, mobile phones, cordless phones, power drills, torches, toys, shavers, watches/clocks, cameras, smoke alarms, audiovisual equipment and remote controls for TVs, DVDs & air conditioners all use batteries.
Australia does not currently have a national recycling scheme for primary and secondary/rechargeable batteries. A working group made up from members of the battery industry has recently formed and are currently investigating a national battery collection and recycling scheme for Australia.
There are, however, a number of collection programs for secondary/rechargeable batteries. These include:
Cleanaway's Battery Recycling Programme
This program collects rechargeable batteries such as Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride or Lithium Ion. These are most commonly found in cordless phones, cordless drills, mobile phones, laptops and PCs, shavers and video cameras. To find out more, visit cleanaway.com.au/batteries
Battery world
Participating Battery World stores will collect secondary/rechargeable batteries.
To find out if Battery World near you is collecting batteries, call 13 17 60 or visit www.batteryworld.com.au.
Mobile Phone Batteries
See the mobile phone recycling page.
Computer Batteries
See the computer recycling page.
Motor Vehicle Batteries
Many garages will recycle you old car battery when they replace it. Many transfer station/waste management centres take also vehicle batteries. Find if there is drop off location near you collecting vehicle batteries.
About Secondary Batteries
- These are rechargeable batteries.
- They are usually Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride or Lithium Ion.
- Usually found in the same shapes as primary batteries as well as all the special shapes for items such as laptops and mobile phones.
How to reduce your battery usage
Buying rechargeable batteries is one way to reduce battery waste and is a great alternative to using conventional batteries. Each battery can be recharged up to 1000 times, saving you money and reducing pollution from discarded used batteries There are many rechargeable batteries available, with the most convenient being Varta's Charge 'n' Go as it takes less than 15 minutes to recharge. For more information visit www.planetarkdirect.com.
Want more info?
For more information on batteries and their composition, visit the Master Instruments website.
