MidCoast Council has today announced a significant expansion of its Community Recycling Centre (CRC) Battery Collection Program to include embedded batteries—those sealed inside devices and traditionally difficult to remove without specialist tools. This enhancement allows residents across the MidCoast region to dispose safely and sustainably of batteries found in everyday electronics, reducing the risk of hazardous materials entering landfill or kerbside waste streams.
What Are Embedded Batteries?
Embedded batteries are rechargeable cells permanently housed within consumer products, often inaccessible without complex disassembly. Common examples include:
• Electric toothbrushes
• Vapes and e-cigarettes
• Bluetooth headphones
• Laptops and tablets with sealed battery compartments
These batteries typically contain lithium-ion chemistries, which, if damaged or improperly discarded, can pose fire or environmental hazards. By accepting embedded batteries alongside loose cells and cartridge packs, the expanded CRC program ensures these materials receive proper end-of-life treatment.
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Why Recycling Embedded Batteries Matters
Improper disposal of embedded batteries can lead to several environmental and safety issues:
• Fire risks: Damaged lithium-ion cells can short-circuit and ignite in landfill or recycling truck environments.
• Heavy metal contamination: Batteries often contain metals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese that may leach into soil and waterways.
• Resource loss: Recoverable materials—such as lithium, nickel and copper—are lost when batteries are not recycled, increasing demand for new mining.
MidCoast Council’s program aligns with the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) priority to divert hazardous waste from landfills and promote circular-economy principles. By facilitating embedded-battery recycling, the Council supports both community safety and sustainable resource management.
Participating Collection Sites
While all MidCoast Waste Management Centres accept CRC materials, three official EPA-funded sites have been designated for streamlined collection of embedded batteries:
• Taree Waste Services Centre – 7 Riverside Drive, Taree
• Tuncurry Waste Services Centre – 10 Bay Street, Tuncurry
• Gloucester Waste Services Centre – 2 Riches Street, Gloucester
These locations feature dedicated drop-off bins and are staffed to assist residents with proper segregation. Loose batteries, button cells and small e-waste items may also continue to be delivered to existing CRCs and participating retail collection points.
Council’s Guidance on Safe Drop-Off
To ensure safe handling and maximize recycling efficiency, new signage and disposal instructions are being rolled out at all CRCs. Key guidelines include:
- Leave devices intact: Do not attempt to remove embedded batteries yourself.
- Protect terminals: Where possible, cover exposed battery terminals with non-conductive tape (e.g., electrical tape) to prevent short circuits.
- Contain items securely: Place battery-powered devices in sealable plastic bags or containers to contain any leakage.
- Follow staff directions: CRC personnel will direct you to the correct collection bin based on battery type and device size.
MidCoast Council urges all users to observe these instructions to minimize health and safety risks to collection staff and to prevent contamination of other recyclables.
Council Statements and Community Benefits
Mayor Claire Pontin welcomed the program’s expansion, stating: “We know embedded batteries present a real challenge for households and for waste management. This update makes it simple for our community to dispose of sealed-battery devices responsibly, reduces fire risk in the waste stream, and recovers valuable materials for reuse.”
Environmental Officer Liam O’Connor emphasized the program’s role in MidCoast’s broader waste reduction strategy: “This initiative complements existing battery collection efforts and demonstrates our commitment to transitioning towards a circular economy. By keeping hazardous batteries out of landfill, we protect our ecosystems and conserve finite resources.”
Projected Impact and Participation Targets
MidCoast Council anticipates a substantial increase in battery volumes collected. In the 2023–24 financial year, the CRC Battery Collection Program processed over 12 tonnes of loose and cartridge batteries. With embedded batteries now accepted, projections estimate a 30 percent uptick in total battery material recovered, diverting an additional 4 tonnes from landfill.
The Council has set a target of engaging 5,000 households in the new service by December 2025. To raise awareness, council staff will host community information sessions at local libraries, seniors centres and schools, demonstrating safe drop-off procedures and highlighting the environmental benefits of battery recycling.
NSW EPA Funding and Support
The expansion is made possible through a grant from the NSW Environment Protection Authority. EPA Deputy Director Sarah Lim noted, “Embedded batteries are a growing waste stream as more consumer electronics use sealed power packs. We’re proud to support MidCoast Council’s proactive approach, which will safeguard waste collection workers and improve material recovery rates across the region.”
Lim encouraged other councils to adopt similar measures, stating, “These pilot projects provide valuable insights into logistics, public communication and handling protocols that can be scaled statewide.”
How Embedded Batteries Are Recycled
Once collected, embedded batteries are transported to specialist recycling facilities accredited by the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI). The recycling process typically involves:
- Mechanical shredding: Safe dismantling of battery packs to separate metals, plastics and electronics.
- Chemical processing: Leaching and neutralization of residual electrolytes to prevent contamination.
- Material recovery: Extraction and purification of metal components—such as lithium carbonate, cobalt salts and nickel—to be reused in new battery production or industrial applications.
This closed-loop approach reduces greenhouse-gas emissions and conserves raw materials, contributing to national circular-economy goals.
Expanding Recycling Beyond Batteries
MidCoast Council’s CRC network also accepts a wide range of household hazardous and electronic wastes, including:
• Paints, solvents and pesticides
• Fluorescent lamps and mercury-containing devices
• Small e-waste: mobile phones, power tools, small appliances
• Automotive batteries and oils
By centralizing these services, the Council minimizes environmental risks and provides a one-stop solution for responsible disposal. The embedded-battery expansion represents the latest step in an ongoing program that has seen the number of CRC sites increase from four in 2019 to nine today.
Community Engagement and Education Campaign
To foster widespread participation, MidCoast Council is launching a multimedia education campaign across local radio, social media and community newsletters. Elements include:
- How-to videos demonstrating safe packaging and drop-off procedures.
- School outreach programs teaching students about battery chemistry, resource conservation and fire safety.
- Local business partnerships with electronics retailers to display QR codes linking to CRC information.
Council aims to reach at least 80 percent of households with campaign materials by August 2025.
Next Steps and Future Initiatives
Following the embedded-battery rollout, MidCoast Council is exploring further enhancements to its waste management services:
- Mobile collection events for remote and rural communities lacking convenient CRC access.
- Expanded e-waste acceptance to include larger electronics such as printers and televisions.
- Collaboration with industry partners to pilot battery-collection kiosks at shopping centres and universities.
An internal review will assess the embedded-battery program’s performance by early 2026, focusing on collected volumes, community feedback and operational challenges. Results will inform applications for further EPA grants and guide best practices for other NSW councils.
How Residents Can Participate
Residents wishing to dispose of embedded batteries should:
- Visit one of the three officially designated CRC sites (Taree, Tuncurry, Gloucester) or any MidCoast Waste Management Centre.
- Pack devices securely, following on-site signage and staff instructions.
- Ask CRC staff for guidance if in doubt about battery types or packaging.
For additional information, visit the MidCoast Council website or contact the Waste and Sustainability team on 6591 7222.
A Cleaner, Greener MidCoast
With the inclusion of embedded batteries, MidCoast Council’s CRC Battery Collection Program takes a major stride toward comprehensive hazardous-waste management. By providing safe, convenient disposal options, the program protects both public safety and the environment—transforming once-challenging materials into valuable resources and reinforcing MidCoast’s commitment to a sustainable future.
