The WMRC currently runs community recycling hubs and battery collections on behalf of our Member Councils to support the safe disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). These collections are located on council properties, such as libraries, council offices, and aquatic centres. The WMRC will be removing our community recycling stations due to recent changes in the HHW recycling rules and the increasing number of businesses offering collection points.

Several major supermarkets and hardware stores are now collecting batteries through the national B-Cycle product stewardship scheme. Launched in January 2022, the B-cycle scheme aims to implement improved safety measures and increase recycling rates for batteries, and has already had significant uptake. Battery importers pay a voluntary levy which funds the collection and recycling of batteries, with businesses earning a rebate for the batteries they collect.

Many residents find it easier to take their batteries to recycling collection points in stores, as it means they can recycle batteries at the same place they purchase them from.

The B-Cycle scheme is:

Good for the environment

• B-cycling keeps batteries out of landfill, so less toxic materials end up in our ecosystem. Reusing the materials in every battery means that we need to mine less from the earth, and can conserve our natural resources.

Good for Australia

• Nearly all of the materials in batteries can be reused. Giving new life to finite natural materials like lithium, cobalt and manganese means we can safeguard Australia’s resource and energy security, and have enough for future generations.

Good for you

• Getting dead batteries out of your home means you protect your family and the environment from toxic materials.

Please visit B-Cycle for more information about the scheme, battery safety information, and to find your nearest drop-off points.

What happens to the batteries I drop off?

Batteries collected through the scheme are processed back to their foundational materials, including plastic, nickel, steel and lithium, then given a new life as metal tools, computer parts, or brand new batteries.

Where can I take used printer cartridges and light bulbs?

Other items previously collected at council recycling hubs can be dropped at the following alternative locations:

• Printer cartridges – any Australia Post, for recycling through the Cartridges4PlanetArk scheme
• Light bulbs and tubes – Ikea or the West Metro Recycling Centre