0:19:53 Thursday 9 October 2025

Western Bay introduces battery recycling

Helen Elyashiv and Ilze Kruis, with one of the new battery recycling units.

Heading to your local Western Bay library to return your books?

Now you can drop off your used household batteries at the same time.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has introduced new, fire-safe battery collection units at its library and service centres in Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa, and Te Puke, and at its main office at Barkes Corner, Tauranga.

The new collection units will make battery recycling in the Western Bay safer and more convenient, says Ilze Kruis, council’s solid waste planning and behaviour change lead.

“These new units make it easier for people to do the right thing. Batteries contain harmful materials, and when they’re thrown in the rubbish or recycling bin they can cause fires, especially in trucks and at waste facilities,” says Ilze.

“By recycling used batteries, you’re helping protect our environment, reduce fire risk, and support safer waste collection across the District.”

Designed for small-to-medium-sized household batteries, the units can take common household batteries, including alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V), lithium (coin and cylindrical), rechargeable NiCd and NiMH, button/coin cells, and other rechargeable types typically found in devices like cameras and small power tools.

Car batteries (lead-acid), large industrial batteries, or damaged lithium batteries are not accepted, but people can still drop off larger batteries for free at council’s three recycling centres, at Athenree, Katikati, and Te Puke, during open hours.

Funded by the Waste Minimisation Levy and provided by Phoenix Recycling Group, the collection units are equipped with advanced fire safety features and are monitored remotely, for added security.

The batteries collected are shipped to approved recycling facilities. These facilities are equipped to safely process and recycle the batteries, recovering valuable materials and minimising environmental impact

To recycle batteries safely, both terminals should be taped before they are placed in the bins, to help prevent short circuits and potential fires. Regular sticky tape is fine, or use clear snap lock bags.

Taped batteries should be kept in a cool, dry place until they can be dropped at a recycling unit.

Accepted battery types:

What’s NOT accepted:

For council library and service centre locations and hours, visit: https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/council/contact-us/council-locations

For recycling centre locations and hours, visit: https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/property-rates-and-building/rubbish-and-recycling/community-recycling-and-greenwaste-centres

3 comments

The Master

Posted on 28-07-2025 13:10 | By Ian Stevenson

So the household ones are small and minor in size but collectively may be an issue, accepted.

Still no means to recycle EV batteries which is a massive problem? Others?


Worriesome

Posted on 30-07-2025 13:59 | By Kancho

For a long time now electronics and batteries are a big problem . Many devices have built in batteries or large batteries and yet no coordinated council approach seems evident. South Tauranga to The Maunga dump a long way and then to find a lot of exemptions on what can be disposed of. Eventually after going there came home and put TV etc into red bin. The cost of proper disposal too expensive. I have a varied accumulation of electronics that should be recycled but no clear low cost way of doing so. The council don't seem to have a clear method or adequate collection points or expect us to find a way and to pay for disposal . Eventually in frustration and desperation the red bin seems to be the answer.


Councils

Posted on 30-07-2025 15:30 | By Kancho

This article about Western Bay but my comments were about Tauranga City. Maybe Western Bay are trying harder


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