Dispose of unwanted household batteries safely through Council's battery recycling scheme.

Batteries contain numerous components that are bad for the environment. If put in wheelie bins, batteries can potentially harm staff and members of the public.

Batteries deteriorate if not in use and can become hazardous. Collecting batteries before they deteriorate means they can be recycled appropriately, saving valuable components for reuse and reducing the risk to people and the environment.

 

 

Batteries that can be disposed of for free at our EcoDrop Recycling Centres(external link) include: 

  • Loose and embedded batteries from household devices including:
    • AA, AAA, C, and D cell batteries
    • alkaline cell
    • lithium
    • 9-volt
    • Cr123 camera batteries
    • dry cell and zinc
    • Li-ion batteries (from laptops, cameras, cell phones and tools)
    • NiCd
    • NiMH
    • gel cell.
  • Damaged, leaking or rusty batteries.
  • Removable and embedded batteries from mobile phones, tablets and laptops. Mobile phones can also be dropped off at a Vodafone, Spark or 2Degrees retailer and will be recycled through the Re:mobile scheme.(external link)
  • Car batteries (excluding electric vehicles).

Batteries not accepted

We do not accept batteries from electric vehicles (EVs), e-scooters, e-bikes, solar panels, or any commercial sources.

These can be taken to a commercial battery recycler, such as Phoenix Recycling Group(external link). 

Our contractor collects the batteries from each location. As there are no viable recycling options in New Zealand, batteries are sorted and prepared for shipping overseas to be recycled. 

The separated components of the batteries are given a new life in a variety of industries.