From electric toothbrushes to Bluetooth speakers, batteries are hiding in more household products than ever. The good news is there’s now an ongoing local option to recycle them safely.
For the past two years, Port Macquarie has been one of a number of NSW communities trialling a new way to safely collect products with embedded batteries – batteries that are built into products and can’t be easily removed.
That trial has now reached its end, but the collection won’t.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed the embedded battery collection will continue, meaning residents can keep dropping eligible products off for free at the Port Macquarie Waste Transfer Station.
A strong local response to battery recycling
Local collection figures show just how many batteries are already being kept out of household bins and directed to dedicated recycling pathways.
During the 2025–26 financial year, more than 5,481 kg of loose batteries were collected at Council Waste Transfer Stations across the Port Macquarie Hastings region.
On top of this, almost 750 kg of products with embedded batteries were collected through the Port Macquarie service.
That’s more than 6.2 tonnes of batteries and battery-containing products collected for appropriate recycling in just one year.
What is an embedded battery?
When most of us think of batteries, we picture an AA, AAA or button battery that can simply be taken out when it runs flat.
Embedded batteries are different. They are built into the product and aren’t designed to be easily removed.
They can be found in everyday items including:
- Bluetooth speakers and headphones
- electric toothbrushes and personal care devices
- smart watches and activity trackers
- cordless and robotic vacuum cleaners
- power banks and portable chargers
- light-up, remote-controlled and ride-on toys
- e-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards
- disposable vapes
- solar-powered lights and devices.
As these products become more common, it can be easy to forget there is a battery hidden inside them. But once the product reaches the end of its life, that battery still needs to be managed safely.
Why batteries don’t belong in any bin
Whether loose or built into a product, batteries should never go in your red, yellow or green kerbside bin.
If damaged or crushed during collection and processing, batteries can spark or catch fire. Recycling them correctly also helps recover valuable materials that can be used again.
Recycle them the right way
Loose household batteries can be taken to participating battery recycling points or Council waste transfer stations.
If a battery is built into a product and can’t be easily removed, don’t pull the item apart. Eligible products with embedded batteries can be taken whole to the Port Macquarie Waste Transfer Station for free.
If the battery can be easily removed, take it out and recycle it separately through an appropriate battery collection service.
For information on where to take different battery types, how to store loose batteries safely before recycling, and other recycling pathways, visit Proper battery disposal on the PMHC website.
And remember:
If it has a battery, don’t put it in a bin.
