Recycling Rechargeable Batteries

When my electric toothbrush died I noticed it had a recycle symbol on the back so I decided to be environmentally responsible and recycle the battery. When a rechargeable battery comes to the end of it's life it is classed as hazardous waste. It turns out, if you live in central Sydney it's almost impossible to get rid of the thing!

Your council may be able to help but they will likely pass you on to someone else in a faraway suburb. Victoria and the ACT have programs in place to collect and recycle these types of batteries free of charge, usually labelled NH, NC or Li-Ion and are commonly found in electric toothbrushes, cordless phones, cameras and power tools.

If you are going for a drive to the burbs take your battery with you and drop it off at a Battery World shop for free, they are located in Brookvale, Ryde and other far away places you've probably never heard of. batteryworld.com.au

A company called Cleanaway will send you a box ($55) to post it back to them. cleanaway.com.au

recyclingnearyou.com.au is a Planet Ark website might be useful.

Mobile Muster will recycle your mobile phones and batteries, visit mobilemuster.com.au

Another option is to call the manufacturer and ask if they will recycle it for you. Oral B/Braun will give you a Reply Paid address to send it to. Other companies such as Sharp can't be bothered.