Batteries are our unsung heroes. We turn to them to power almost everything in our homes, from children’s toys to cameras and remote controls, even our vehicles and emergency devices.

And while these little fellas may be easily forgotten or disregarded after serving their purpose, we think that they deserve proper disposal. Or to be recycled, at least.

Thankfully, Bunnings has announced that as part of a new scheme, they are more than happy to take our old batteries.

Bunnings has launched a new service that gets rid of our unused batteries. Credit: TikTok/@lottiedalziel.
​

Starting late last year, Bunnings stores all over the country are now offering a free battery recycling service. Customers just have to bring their unused batteries at home and drop them off in the designated bins in-store.

Apparently, 95 percent of battery components can be reused, so in a bid to encourage their customers to recycle instead of contributing to more electronic waste, Bunnings has launched the battery recycling program.

Jen Tucker, Bunnings director of merchandise, said the program aims to deliver a “full circle” to the life cycle of batteries. Since the hardware company sells a wide variety of batteries, ranging from household to power tools, they’re hoping to keep the harmful materials “out of the environment” and for them to be “infinitely recycled” instead.

The recycling bins are now available at all Bunnings stores, making this project the country’s largest battery recycling program. Envirostream Australia is managing the collection, which is expected to recycle around 240,000 kilograms worth of batteries in the first year alone.

Batteries are made from toxic materials and may cause harm if they are to leak, or become fire hazards in our homes.

So, this might just be the best time to clear out your old batteries. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Batteries often end up in junk drawers and boxes, so take your time to turn them inside out and reorganise them. Not only will you find used batteries, but probably a lot of other cool stuff you forgot you had!
• Check all of your electrical appliances, both small and large, in every room of your home. Even those devices that we often forget, such as smoke detectors, old calculators, worn-out watches, old phones, even devices as small as a musical greeting card.

And for proper battery storage at home, here are some important reminders:

• Store used batteries in a box in a dry place at room temperature. Do not use a metal box as they may cause short circuits.
• Do not store your batteries next to an oven, and certainly NOT in the refrigerator (as some battery storage “tips” would say!). Temperature fluctuations and excessive humidity will lead to battery content imbalances.
• Separate your discarded batteries from the new ones, perhaps making use of labels to avoid confusion.
• Do not leave your batteries in electrical devices that you will not be using for a long time.
• Do not store batteries and button cells in a pillbox. Because of their size and shape, they can easily be mistaken for medicines, and batteries are extremely dangerous and toxic when swallowed.

 

[JayKay]

Thank you to Bunnings for providing this service.
The more facilities available for batteries to be recycled, the better.
Many folk take the easiest way out ....and put them in their rubbish bin, so these collection bins are a great reminder to do the best thing.....recycle batteries.

 

[Riverlandlass]

Good idea Bunnings. I hope people will now recycle their batteries.

 

[Ricci]

I have used Aldi to recycle my batteries and to have an alternative place can only be a good thing.

 

[Trixi]

I have taken them to Officeworks. Great to see there are more places now where they will get recycled.

 

[hdhensel]

Why would you want to bring unused (new) batteries in for recycling as the article indicates??

They also don't mention if it applies to car or motorbike or mower batteries

 

[Mr Bean]

Good on you Bunnings for taking up the old batteries for recycling service, great idea.

 

[JayKay]

Why would you want to bring unused (new) batteries in for recycling as the article indicates??

They also don't mention if it applies to car or motorbike or mower batteries

I can't see that it says 'new' batteries, I can only see it states 'unused' batteries, meaning either dead or alive, and if you are not going to use them, recycle them.

 

[KatKop]

My local (rural) IGA now also has a battery recycling bin.

 

[KatKop]

Why would you want to bring unused (new) batteries in for recycling as the article indicates??

They also don't mention if it applies to car or motorbike or mower batteries

I'm waiting for the day when all the EV batteries need replacing ...

 

[Thecheesequeen]

I think “unused” simply means “no longer being used” rather than new. My two closest Bunnings have been recycling batteries for several years. I don’t believe it includes car batteries and the like, just household batteries. Some of the supermarkets are offering the service too now. And yes, what’s going to happen to electric vehicle batteries when they’re defunct - they’re enormous, and it’s cheaper to buy a new EV than to replace the battery.

 

[Alan W]

BatteryWorld stores have been recycling all sizes of batteries for a number of years. In Brisbane the 'Resource Recovery Centres' will take batteries for recycling, and any scrap metal merchant will pay you for old car and motorbike batteries for their lead content. Aldi will take any small batteries up to about D size, Ikea and OfficeWorks stores also recycle batteries. Better than sending them to landfill where they poison the ground. Most batteries are clearly marked NOT to put them in general waste.

 

[Alan W]

I'm waiting for the day when all the EV batteries need replacing ...

Most companies selling electric cars already have recycling processes in place, and a new battery pack is way cheaper than a new EV.

 

[Farrug]

Bunnings now offering FREE battery recycling service​

Batteries are our unsung heroes. We turn to them to power almost everything in our homes, from children’s toys to cameras and remote controls, even our vehicles and emergency devices.

And while these little fellas may be easily forgotten or disregarded after serving their purpose, we think that they deserve proper disposal. Or to be recycled, at least.

Thankfully, Bunnings has announced that as part of a new scheme, they are more than happy to take our old batteries.

Bunnings has launched a new service that gets rid of our unused batteries. Credit: TikTok/@lottiedalziel.
​

Starting late last year, Bunnings stores all over the country are now offering a free battery recycling service. Customers just have to bring their unused batteries at home and drop them off in the designated bins in-store.

Apparently, 95 percent of battery components can be reused, so in a bid to encourage their customers to recycle instead of contributing to more electronic waste, Bunnings has launched the battery recycling program.

Jen Tucker, Bunnings director of merchandise, said the program aims to deliver a “full circle” to the life cycle of batteries. Since the hardware company sells a wide variety of batteries, ranging from household to power tools, they’re hoping to keep the harmful materials “out of the environment” and for them to be “infinitely recycled” instead.

The recycling bins are now available at all Bunnings stores, making this project the country’s largest battery recycling program. Envirostream Australia is managing the collection, which is expected to recycle around 240,000 kilograms worth of batteries in the first year alone.

Batteries are made from toxic materials and may cause harm if they are to leak, or become fire hazards in our homes.

So, this might just be the best time to clear out your old batteries. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Batteries often end up in junk drawers and boxes, so take your time to turn them inside out and reorganise them. Not only will you find used batteries, but probably a lot of other cool stuff you forgot you had!
• Check all of your electrical appliances, both small and large, in every room of your home. Even those devices that we often forget, such as smoke detectors, old calculators, worn-out watches, old phones, even devices as small as a musical greeting card.

And for proper battery storage at home, here are some important reminders:

• Store used batteries in a box in a dry place at room temperature. Do not use a metal box as they may cause short circuits.
• Do not store your batteries next to an oven, and certainly NOT in the refrigerator (as some battery storage “tips” would say!). Temperature fluctuations and excessive humidity will lead to battery content imbalances.
• Separate your discarded batteries from the new ones, perhaps making use of labels to avoid confusion.
• Do not leave your batteries in electrical devices that you will not be using for a long time.
• Do not store batteries and button cells in a pillbox. Because of their size and shape, they can easily be mistaken for medicines, and batteries are extremely dangerous and toxic when swallowed.

 

[Farrug]

What is done with the reusable parts of the batteries? Nice to know!

 

[hdhensel]

Probably all going to China to be sold back to us. An Australian company has established a European recycling centre for the EV batteries. Plenty of interest in the process but that has not reflected in the stock market

 

[Ezzy]

Bunnings now offering FREE battery recycling service​

Batteries are our unsung heroes. We turn to them to power almost everything in our homes, from children’s toys to cameras and remote controls, even our vehicles and emergency devices.

And while these little fellas may be easily forgotten or disregarded after serving their purpose, we think that they deserve proper disposal. Or to be recycled, at least.

Thankfully, Bunnings has announced that as part of a new scheme, they are more than happy to take our old batteries.

Bunnings has launched a new service that gets rid of our unused batteries. Credit: TikTok/@lottiedalziel.
​

Starting late last year, Bunnings stores all over the country are now offering a free battery recycling service. Customers just have to bring their unused batteries at home and drop them off in the designated bins in-store.

Apparently, 95 percent of battery components can be reused, so in a bid to encourage their customers to recycle instead of contributing to more electronic waste, Bunnings has launched the battery recycling program.

Jen Tucker, Bunnings director of merchandise, said the program aims to deliver a “full circle” to the life cycle of batteries. Since the hardware company sells a wide variety of batteries, ranging from household to power tools, they’re hoping to keep the harmful materials “out of the environment” and for them to be “infinitely recycled” instead.

The recycling bins are now available at all Bunnings stores, making this project the country’s largest battery recycling program. Envirostream Australia is managing the collection, which is expected to recycle around 240,000 kilograms worth of batteries in the first year alone.

Batteries are made from toxic materials and may cause harm if they are to leak, or become fire hazards in our homes.

So, this might just be the best time to clear out your old batteries. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Batteries often end up in junk drawers and boxes, so take your time to turn them inside out and reorganise them. Not only will you find used batteries, but probably a lot of other cool stuff you forgot you had!
• Check all of your electrical appliances, both small and large, in every room of your home. Even those devices that we often forget, such as smoke detectors, old calculators, worn-out watches, old phones, even devices as small as a musical greeting card.

And for proper battery storage at home, here are some important reminders:

• Store used batteries in a box in a dry place at room temperature. Do not use a metal box as they may cause short circuits.
• Do not store your batteries next to an oven, and certainly NOT in the refrigerator (as some battery storage “tips” would say!). Temperature fluctuations and excessive humidity will lead to battery content imbalances.
• Separate your discarded batteries from the new ones, perhaps making use of labels to avoid confusion.
• Do not leave your batteries in electrical devices that you will not be using for a long time.
• Do not store batteries and button cells in a pillbox. Because of their size and shape, they can easily be mistaken for medicines, and batteries are extremely dangerous and toxic when swallowed.

Just need to find where this bin is a my local Bunnings store (which l frequent). Haven't seen one yet. Thanks for the info.