Under the embedded battery trial led by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, the Albury Waste Management Centre now has designated bins to allow people to properly and safely dispose of embedded battery products free of charge.
An embedded battery is a small battery located permanently within an item. They are often buried deep within the device and are not easily removed.
Embedded batteries are found in many rechargeable items including some electric toothbrushes, shavers, smart watches, speakers, headphones and vacuums.
They are made of highly combustible materials, including lithium-ion, and have been linked to a significant rise in fires at homes and waste facilities.
There were 193 battery-related fires in NSW between 1 January and 1 August 2024, an 18% increase on the same period last year.
Vapes are a growing concern as they contain both a battery and hazardous chemicals, posing serious risks for garbage trucks, collection staff and waste facilities when thrown in household bins.
With sales of lithium-ion batteries set to increase six-fold by 2050, the embedded battery trial will kickstart NSW Government efforts to recycle and repurpose them so fewer reach landfill.
AlburyCity is one of 21 Councils in NSW to take part in the trial, which will see embedded batteries removed from devices and recycled.
This is in line with Council’s Community Strategic Plan, Towards Albury 2050, whose aims include enhancing Albury’s natural environment by being a leader in resource management and circular economy.
The trial will be used to collect information on the types and quantities of embedded battery products being thrown out, the collection and processing options for them and the best ways to remind people of correct recycling habits.
It will run until September 2026, with reviews along the way.