Each year, over 18,600 tonnes of batteries are sent to landfills in Australia, that’s the same weight as 100 houses! BUT if these batteries were to be recycled, 95% of the components of a battery could be turned into new batteries or used in other industries. 

That’s why Independent Hardware Group has rolled out over 270 EcoBATT battery recycling units nationally in our Mitre10 and Home Hardware stores. 

In only 6 months, these units recycled 4859kg of batteries, this is the same weight as 3 cars or 1 elephant!

These battery recycling units accept the following: 

• Household batteries 
• Rechargeable batteries 
• Power tool batteries 
• Laptop batteries 
• Mobile phones 

By recycling batteries, we:

Allow the re-use of materials

Materials such as cadmium, cobalt, mercury, lithium, uranium, manganese, nickel, and zinc can be recycled again and again indefinitely so it doesn’t make sense to let it be wasted sitting in landfill. 

Keep toxic materials out of our waterways and environment

Which would mean a better living condition for us humans and the animals that live with us 

Support a circular economy

The materials listed above are non-renewable, meaning these will increase in cost, and eventually the supply will run out if we continue to use virgin ingredients rather than recycled ones.

Avoid supporting the slave trade

 A lot of the mining for the raw materials of batteries occurs in developing countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo where slave labour exists for both adults and children

So, the next time you find yourself switching the batteries in your remote, upgrading your mobile phone or that your power tool battery has had its day, don’t put them in your regular bin, help us look after the planet and the people on it by bringing it into your local hardware store collection point. Find your local battery recycling unit here.