Battery Recycling

Don’t throw batteries in your rubbish bin. When compacted, batteries can catch on fire.

Save your batteries and dispose of them responsibly at our battery recycling drop-off points.

We now have designated drop-off points for recycling household, non-household and other types of batteries.

Household batteries recycling

Free under 1kg

Household batteries, commonly used in everyday devices around the home, can be saved and dropped off free of charge, at our Service Centres and Refuse Transfer Stations. We will accept household quantities, under 1kg, only.

Collection points

Hand them:

over the counter to our Customer Services team or
- to an attendant at our Paeroa or Waihī Refuse Transfer Stations.

Tape them first

Prepare your batteries first to ensure safety, by taping the terminals. (More information further down the page.)

Types of batteries

The following types of household batteries can be accepted for recycling:

Alkaline Batteries Common Types: AA, AAA, C, D, 9V
Used in remote controls, flashlights, clocks, toys, etc.
Lithium Batteries Common Types: CR2032, CR123A, AA Lithium
Used in watches, cameras, key fobs, smoke detectors, etc.
Rechargeable Batteries Common Types: Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) AA, AAA; Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Used in cordless phones, cameras, toys, portable electronics, etc.
Button or Coin Cell Batteries Common Types: CR2032, LR44, SR44
Used in watches, hearing aids, calculators, small electronic devices, etc.
Zinc-Carbon Batteries Common Types: AA, AAA, C, D
Used in remote controls, clocks, low-drain devices, etc.
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries Common Types: Rechargeable AA, AAA
Used in cordless phones, emergency lights, power tools (less common now due to environmental concerns), etc.
Lead-Acid Batteries (Small-Scale) Common Types: 6V, 12V (small sealed lead-acid)
Used in Emergency lighting, backup power supplies, alarm systems, etc.

Note: Damaged or swollen batteries must be taken to our Refuse Transfer Stations and handed to the attendant.

Non-household batteries recycling

The following batteries can only be taken to our Refuse Transfer Stations, fees may apply:

Lithium phosphate batteries: Rechargeable LiFePO4 batteries used in energy storage and other applications.
Nickel-cadmium batteries: Rechargeable batteries found in power tools, laptops, and energy storage systems.
Removable Lithium-ion embedded batteries: Found in larger devices like power tools and some energy storage systems.
Automotive batteries: Lead-acid batteries from vehicles.
Forklift batteries: Lead-acid batteries used in forklifts, including those with steel casings.
Industrial batteries: Lead-acid batteries from uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), gel batteries, and other industrial power storage systems.

Vape batteries

We can only accept small quantities of personal use vape batteries. For larger quantities, please contact our Waste Manager. Fees may apply. The treatment cost is higher due to the nature of the plastics so special arrangements must be in place through our Waste Management team.

Contact the team on 0800 734 834 (in district) or 07 862 8609 or email info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz

Did you know, vape batteries can also be returned to your vape shop?

How to prepare your batteries for drop-off

Prevent short-circuiting, ensure the safe handling of batteries and support efficient recycling processes using these easy steps.

Tape over the terminals

All batteries, including small coin/button batteries, need to have the terminals taped over. Household sellotape works well for taping over the terminals.

Avoid hazards: Do not store batteries with flammable or conductive materials like metal, paper clips, or staples.

Group packaging small batteries

For small batteries like AA, AAA or button batteries, first tape over the exposed terminals and place up to 10 batteries together in a single plastic bag if you prefer.

Combining different types

While it’s helpful to separate batteries by chemistry (e.g., alkaline, lithium, NiCd), it's not required so long as each battery's terminal has been taped over.

E-Waste classified batteries

Batteries from electronic devices like laptops, smartphones, tablets and power tools are classified as electronic waste (e-waste) and can be dropped off at our Refuse Transfer Stations.

These are often rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, that are built into the devices and can’t be easily removed. They are treated as e-waste because they are part of the electronic equipment that needs special handling and recycling.

We do not advise trying to remove these types of batteries unless they are easy to do so.

See our fees and charges for disposal of e-waste at our Refuse Transfer Stations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is paying for this new battery recycling service?

Hauraki District Council will fund this service with the money we receive from the Waste Disposal Levy. This levy, collected by the central government, is partially allocated to local councils like ours to support waste management and minimisation activities. We use these funds to provide services like battery recycling, to our community, ensuring responsible and effective waste disposal.

In May 2024, the New Zealand Government changed the Waste Disposal Levy to support a broader range of environmental activities.

What happens to the collected batteries?

The collected batteries are carefully handled by Phoenix Recycling. They are shipped under hazardous waste permits to approved recycling facilities offshore. At these specialised facilities, the batteries are safely processed and recycled. The recycling process involves breaking down the batteries, extracting valuable reusable components, and ensuring that any hazardous materials are properly disposed of, minimising environmental impact.

Is this free recycling service just for household batteries?

Yes.

If you are a business or have a bulk lot of batteries to dispose of, please contact our Waste Manager to discuss options on 0800 734 834 (in district) or 07 862 8609. Email info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz

Non-household batteries can only be disposed of at our Refuse Transfer Stations. Fees may apply.

Is there an easy way to test my batteries?

If you want to test batteries at home without specialised equipment, here are a few simple methods:

1. Drop Test (For Alkaline Batteries)

How to do it: Hold the battery about 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) above a hard, flat surface (like a table or countertop) and drop it vertically, with the flat, negative end facing down.

What to look for: A fully charged or good battery will usually land with a dull thud and stay upright or bounce very little. A depleted battery will bounce more and often fall over.

2. Spin Test (For Alkaline Batteries)

How to do it: Place the battery flat on a smooth surface and give it a quick spin.

What to look for: A fully charged battery will either not spin much or spin slowly, while a dead battery will spin more easily and for a longer time.

3. Battery Light Test

How to do it: Insert the battery into a low-power device like a flashlight or a remote control.

What to look for: If the device works properly (bright light or responsive buttons), the battery still has charge. If the device is dim or unresponsive, the battery is likely depleted.

4. Heat Test (For Alkaline Batteries)

How to do it: After using the battery in a device for a short period, carefully feel the battery for heat.

What to look for: A battery that quickly becomes warm during use may be depleted or close to the end of its life, as it indicates it’s working hard to deliver power.

Did you know? If the battery in your car’s key fob is just about dead and you can’t unlock your door, push the fob firmly against the bottom of your jaw (chin) bone. Hold for about 20 seconds. Sometimes that’s enough to give the battery an electrical charge from your body – enough to get into your car and get it started.