Where to dispose of batteries: start with this table
Read the label and note which device the battery came from. Do not open a sealed case to find out what it is. If the label is unclear, photograph it and ask the manufacturer or a battery specialist.
| Battery type | Where to start | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| AA, AAA and other small household cells | A B-cycle collection point | Tape the ends as B-cycle instructs |
| Button and coin cells | A B-cycle point that takes them | Keep them away from children |
| Small removable rechargeable packs | B-cycle locator, filtered by type | Not every point takes every pack |
| E-bike or e-scooter battery | B-cycle's e-bike options or a specialist | Check the point takes that pack first |
| Battery built into a phone or laptop | The manufacturer or a specialist | Crex needs laptop batteries removed before collection and does not take them |
| Car starting battery | Battery retailer or council transfer station | Keep it out of household battery boxes |
| UPS battery module or string | Battery specialist or Crex | Know the type, count and weight |
| Forklift traction battery | Dealer removes it, then Crex or a specialist collects | Lifting needs a plan |
| Home or commercial battery storage system | The system supplier | Not a household battery |
| Damaged, swollen, leaking or recalled battery | Manufacturer or specialist | Get advice before moving it |
B-cycle battery recycling and its limits
B-cycle takes loose batteries that are easy to remove, and now has options for e-bike and e-scooter packs. Use its return locator to find a point that takes your battery type. It does not cover car batteries, batteries built into devices or large storage systems.
Tape the ends as B-cycle instructs, because small cells can short against metal or each other. Swollen or badly damaged batteries should not go to a B-cycle point at all.
Retailers and car batteries
Retailer programs differ, so check the actual store before you go. Officeworks now says it no longer accepts loose batteries in store.
For a car battery, ask the retailer that sells the replacement whether it will take the old one. Never leave a car battery next to a household battery box.
Council options in Melbourne
Most councils take household and car batteries at their transfer stations. Check the council page for hours and limits before you travel.
| Municipality | Facility | Batteries taken, in general terms |
|---|---|---|
| Hume City Council | Campbellfield and Sunbury Resource Recovery Centres | Household and car batteries in household amounts |
| City of Darebin | Darebin Resource Recovery Centre, Reservoir | Household and car batteries for residents |
| City of Boroondara | Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre, Camberwell | Household and car batteries |
| City of Monash | Monash Recycling & Waste Centre, Notting Hill | Household and car batteries, subject to site rules |
| City of Port Phillip | Resource Recovery Centre, South Melbourne | Car batteries for residents |
UPS and standby batteries at a business
Get the make, model and battery type from the label or the UPS manual. A qualified technician needs to switch off and disconnect the system. Ask them for the number of modules and the weight of each one.
If you are replacing the system, line up the collection with the technician's finish date, and do not leave old modules blocking doors or walkways. A sealed lead-acid battery can still short circuit, even when it is flat.
Forklift batteries and lifting
A traction battery is far heavier than it looks. The dealer or technician removes it from the forklift before collection, using the right lifting gear.
Tell the collector what lifting equipment will be on site, and describe the floor, doorways and route to the truck. The forklift being serviced may not be free to move its own old battery.
Keep the battery upright and in one piece. Do not drain it, take cells out or try to repair it.
Damaged batteries
A battery that is swollen, hot, leaking, crushed or recalled needs separate advice. Do not charge it, puncture it or put it with other batteries while you wait.
If there is smoke or fire, keep people away, follow your site emergency plan and call emergency services. Email is not the place for an emergency.
For a damaged battery that is stable, ask the manufacturer or a specialist how to store and move it. EPA Victoria's waste battery guideline explains the main risks.
Transport rules
Many batteries count as dangerous goods on the road. The Australian Dangerous Goods Code sets the rules, and they depend on the battery type, condition and quantity. Use a transport provider who knows them, rather than putting batteries in a general load.
What Crex does
Crex takes business lead-acid batteries only: UPS strings, forklift traction batteries, standby and telecom banks. Email the labels, count, condition, weights and site access through battery removal. Your dealer or technician disconnects the batteries first. Crex collects them, and they are recycled.
Business and industry only. We don't offer residential services. For household batteries, use the options above. Contact Crex about a business lead-acid load.