How to recycle household batteries

Dry-cell batteries

Up to 20kg of used dry-cell batteries can be dropped off at any one of over 150 battery recycling bins around Perth, including most council’s administration offices.

These include:

• AA and AAA batteries (single use & rechargeable)
• C & D size (button batteries - e.g. used in watches)
• 9V & 6V (e.g. used in torches)

Car batteries

Used car batteries contain lead, lead compounds, and/or sulphuric acid and they are 98% recyclable. Most car workshops and service stations will accept used car batteries for recycling. Check with your car battery vendor when purchasing a new battery.

How to reduce your battery waste

• Minimise battery usage by connecting appliances to the mains power where possible.
• Use rechargeable batteries. Each battery can be recharged up to 1000 times, saving you money and reducing pollution from discarded batteries.

6 benefits of recycling used household batteries

1. Batteries can be disposed of safely and many of the components can be recycled and used for new products.
2. Recycling lead from car batteries, uses less energy than refining primary ore and removes lead from the environment.
3. Fewer raw materials need to be extracted and processed to make new products. 
4. Precious metals found in single-use batteries such as silver, iron and mercury can be recovered.
5. The nickel from batteries can be recycled and used to produce stainless steel.
6. Car batteries can be recycled into a range of products such as plant pots, laundry detergents, glass, fertilisers and new batteries.

Visit Recycleright to find your nearest battery recycling bins

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