Swansea will gain an additional drop off location under the NSW Government’s successful embedded batteries trial, allowing the community to safely dispose of 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. The waste industry says 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.
The embedded batteries trial was 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.
The Belmont North Community Recycling Centre is one of more than 13 additional community recycling centres joining the trial, which is set to run until September 2026.
Swansea locals 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
For more information on loose battery recycling, go to: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Recycling-and-reuse/household-recycling-overview/Safe-battery-recycling
Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said:
“No battery should end up in the bin. Batteries that can be removed from a product should be taped and dropped off to a local recycling point and now we can do the same with embedded batteries.
“Swansea locals are now able to safely drop off embedded battery products at their local community recycling centre to reduce the risks of battery fires and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for all.”
NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:
“New South Wales is leading the way to combat the risks of battery fires and making sure battery-powered items are being managed at the end of their usable life.
“Thanks to the success of the embedded batteries trial, we are making it easier for people to keep batteries out of the bin, so we can protect our environment, recycle more and keep our communities safe.”