The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)’s successful embedded batteries trial is expanding to another 13 locations across the state, including Ballina and Kyogle, allowing more communities to safely dispose of and recycle items with built-in batteries for free. 

Gadgets with embedded lithium-ion batteries are increasingly common in our homes, such as vapes, headphones, speakers, electric toothbrushes, e-scooters and smart watches. 

Battery-powered items contain valuable recoverable materials but are also highly combustible, with waste workers saying these items are causing thousands of hard-to-extinguish fires in trucks and landfills each year.  

Nearly 200 battery fires have been attended by Fire and Rescue NSW so far in 2025, reflecting a serious risk to the community, households and waste workers.  

Another 13 community recycling centres are joining the trial, which is set to run until September 2026:  

• Kiama Community Recycling Centre 
• Goulburn Community Recycling Centre 
• Lithgow Community Recycling Centre 
• Belmont North Community Recycling Centre 
• Randwick Community Recycling Centre 
• Katoomba Community Recycling Centre 
• Kempsey Community Recycling Centre 
• Armidale Community Recycling Centre 
• Cowra Community Recycling Centre 
• Ballina Community Recycling Centre 
• Culcairn Community Recycling Centre 
• Moama Community Recycling Centre 
• Kyogle Community Recycling Centre 

NSW EPA Chief Executive Tony Chappel said battery fires are a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for communities and waste workers.   

“We’re leading the way to combat these risks by introducing a product stewardship scheme, but we also need to make sure battery-powered items are being managed at the end of their usable life,” Mr Chappel said. 

“With more than 30 councils now pitching in to collect this problematic waste, we’re making it easier for people to keep batteries out of the bin, so we can protect our environment, increase our recycling rates and keep communities safe.”  

The embedded batteries trial first launched in September 2024, with 21 councils across NSW initially taking part to safely collect and recycle items with built-in batteries at Community Recycling Centres.  

To date, more than 9,000 kilograms of this problem waste has been dropped off at centres and safely disposed of, reducing pressures on landfill and driving circular solutions. 

Locals in participating areas are encouraged to look at what unwanted battery-powered items they have in their home, and head down to their local Community Recycling Centre to drop them off. 

For a full list of accepted items and locations, go to: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Recycling-and-reuse/household-recycling-overview/Embedded-batteries.