Battery Recycling

Household Batteries

We're pleased to offer a battery recycling programme to our community. Previously, options to have batteries recycled in Aotearoa New Zealand were not readily available and, up until recently, household batteries that were taken to the Pines Resource Recovery Park were simply being rendered safe by a specialised hazardous waste company for eventual disposal in landfill.

As demand for battery powered devices increase, it is important that we maximise resource recovery of the finite and valuable materials found within the used batteries, and keep them out of landfill. Additionally, improper battery disposal has led to an escalating number of fires in kerbside collection trucks and at the recovery park.

Bring your old batteries to any of our three drop-off points free-of-charge. We accept household quantities of the following battery types:

• Lithium-ion (used in laptops, mobile phones, tools)
• Alkaline, dry cell and zinc (used in flashlights, radios, remote controls, smoke detectors)
• Button cell / coin (used in watches, hearing aids)
• Nickel-cadmium (used in portable electronics, tools, toys)
• Nickel-metal hydride (used in digital cameras, laptops, mobile phones)

Battery Recycling Drop-off Points

Rolleston

Lincoln

77 Gerald Street, Lincoln

What happens to the batteries?

After the batteries have been collected from one of the drop-off locations, they are taken to be sorted further into their different chemistry types. Every battery has its terminals taped over to prevent arcing. They are then accumulated in drums with special liners. When there is sufficient volume to ship, full drums are sent to Australia where:

• The NiMH and alkaline batteries are processed within Australia. Approximately 70% - 90% of the individual battery is recycled. Of this, 30% - 50% becomes raw material for new batteries. Other components become ingredients used in roading mixes and fertilisers.
• NiCad and li-ion batteries are added to Australian volumes and forwarded to a specialist battery recycling plant in South Korea.

How is this being funded?

Council is funding this service using National Waste Levy funds, but we would like to see importers and manufacturers be responsible for covering the cost of recycling the products they are putting into the market.  You can read more about product stewardship and e-waste on the Ministry for the Environment's website.

Car Batteries

We still accept car batteries free-of-charge for recycling at the Pines Resource Recovery Park.

Car batteries are dismantled at a local scrap metal facility and then shipped to specialist battery plants overseas.