City of Rockingham urges use of designated bins to recycle used batteries

More than 1500kg of batteries were recycled through the City of Rockingham’s Hazardous Household Waste Facility at the Millar Road Landfill in the 2017-18 financial year.

Recycling plays a crucial role in the City’s waste management system, with the correct disposal of batteries an often forgotten but important part of the recycling process.

Australians purchase more than 300 million handheld batteries every year, but less than 6 per cent are estimated to be recycled properly.

The chemicals released from hazardous battery waste at landfill sites are known to have a huge negative impact on the environment, which is why residents are encouraged to recycle.

Mayor Barry Sammels encouraged residents to join the environmental effort by disposing of used batteries at drop-off locations around the city.

“Dry cell batteries, which are found in children’s toys, small appliances and torches, are able to be recycled in bins at all four of the City’s libraries, the City’s administration building on Civic Boulevard and at the Millar Road Landfill Facility,” Mr Sammels said.

“Mobile phone batteries are recycled through a program called Mobile Muster and these recycling bins are found next to the dry-cell battery recycling bins at the libraries, landfill and City administration building. Car batteries should be taken to the Millar Road Landfill Facility.”

City officers collect batteries from the designated disposal bins around the city and take them to the Hazardous Household Waste Facility. These are then taken to a facility to be sorted into chemistry types, before being transported to Victoria, where 95 per cent of the battery materials are recovered.

The City has also moved to clarify confusion surrounding the recycling process after reports that suggested lists of acceptable items to recycle had changed.

While changes to the recycling process are being discussed by Perth’s three material recovery facilities, residents in the city are encouraged to continue recycling as usual until further notice.

Mr Sammels said it was important residents continued to recycle and dispose of their waste as usual under the three-bin system.

“After China confirmed it would no longer be taking certain types of recyclable waste, there has been some confusion surrounding what residents should be recycling,” Mr Sammels said.

“Following the changes overseas, the major material recovery facilities that look after the collection of the metropolitan area’s recycling waste are currently deciding what should be included as part of a new recycling list.

“Once they have decided on a uniform strategy, all local governments, including the City of Rockingham, will then be able to inform residents of the guidelines they should follow.

“Until then, the City encourages residents to continue recycling in the same manner they have done previously.”

For more information, visit http://rockingham.wa.gov.au/Services/Rubbish-and-recycling-services.