Batteries and e-waste

E-waste is any unwanted electronic or electrical item that is powered by a battery, cord or plug. Some kinds of e-waste include:

• Computers and accessories (computer monitors, laptops, iPads, hard drives, mice, keyboards, headsets, microphones, webcams, motherboards etc.)
• Mobile phones, phone chargers
• Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D and 9V-sized batteries)
• Car batteries
• Power tools, power tool batteries
• TVs, VCRs, DVD recorders, remote controls
• Gaming devices (consoles, handheld games, controllers etc.)
• White goods (fridges, washing machines, dishwashers etc.)
• Kitchen appliances (microwaves, kettles, toasters, coffee machines etc.)
• Desk lamps, floor lamps, torches
• Fans, heaters
• Hair dryers, hair straighteners
• Cameras, battery chargers
• Vacuum cleaners, irons
• Power boards, extension cords, adaptors
• Solar lights, solar panels
• E-scooters and e-bikes

E-waste must never be put in the bin. In landfill, e-waste leaks toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury and arsenic into the environment. Fortunately, if disposed of correctly, many of the valuable materials in e-waste can be recovered and recycled.

Batteries can cause fires when they spark against metal objects (including other batteries) or short circuit and overheat. Battery fires in collection trucks and at waste and recycling facilities are a workplace hazard and a risk to the community. Any type of battery can cause a fire.

Batteries also contain toxic materials such as cadmium, lead, zinc manganese, nickel, silver, mercury and lithium. In landfill, these chemicals contaminate the soil and groundwater, harming the environment, wildlife and the community.

Fortunately, if disposed of correctly, most of the materials in batteries can be recovered and recycled.

Make sure you store your old batteries safely before you take them to a safe drop-off point.

Step 1: Put clear sticky tape on the terminals. B-Cycle has a guide to what that looks like for different types of batteries.

Step 2: Collect your old batteries in a glass jar or other glass container. Make sure air can get in, as pressure can build up if it’s airtight.

Step 3: Keep the jar in a cool, dry place, out of the sunlight and away from sources of heat. Keep it out of reach of children, and make sure the batteries don’t come into contact with any metal objects.

Step 4: When you’re ready, take your batteries to a designated drop-off point for safe disposal and recycling.

If batteries are leaking or damaged, wear gloves when you handle them and put them in a zip lock bag.

Council offers a range of free drop-off points throughout Hume City:

There are lots of other places to drop off household batteries within Hume, including Bunnings and major supermarkets. Search Recycle Mate to find the nearest battery drop-off point.

Vapes and e-cigarettes can be dropped off for free in the designated bins at any Hume Global Learning Centre:

• Hume Global Learning Centre – Broadmeadows
• Hume Global Learning Centre – Craigieburn
• Hume Global Learning Centre – Sunbury

There is no need to remove the battery – leave it in the vape.

Recycling stations are located at the Hume Global Learning Centres in Broadmeadows, Craigieburn and Sunbury where you can drop off:

• Household batteries and vapes (look for the designated bins)
• Mobile phones, cameras
• DVDs, CDs, video tapes (including the cases)
• Floppy disks, storage cards, USB sticks
• Headphones, earbuds
• Cords, cables, plugs, chargers, adaptors
• Keyboards, computer mice, webcams
• Remote controls
• Any other small e-waste.

Any kind of e-waste can be dropped off at our Resource Recovery Centres for free. This includes small e-waste listed above, as well as white goods (fridges, washing machines etc.), household appliances, TV and AV equipment, IT equipment, light bulbs and fittings, power tools, lawn mowers and more. Find out more here.

You can also dispose of e-waste as part of a hard waste booking.

There are also lots of other places to drop off household e-waste within Hume. Search Recycle Mate to find the nearest battery drop-off point.