Used batteries at home
Household batteries eventually reach the end of their life. This can include:
- AA and AAA batteries
- Button batteries
- Power tool batteries
- E-bike and e-scooter batteries
Never place batteries in household waste or recycling bins.
- Batteries can spark or catch fire if they are damaged or crushed in waste trucks, or if their terminals come into contact with other batteries or metal objects, causing a short circuit
- Find out what batteries can be B-cycled
Store batteries safely
Before taking your batteries to a B-cycle Drop-off point:
- Tape battery terminals with clear sticky tape
- Store household batteries in a child resistant, non-metal container
- Keep away from direct sunlight or direct heat (e.g. heaters)
- Ensure batteries are kept dry, stored away from moisture
- Always keep batteries away from children and pets
Suitable storage containers include glass jars with plastic lids, plastic containers or small plastic bags with zip locks.
Taping all battery terminals helps prevent accidental sparks and fires. For button batteries, it reduces the likelihood of them being ingested by children or pets.
Take batteries to a B-cycle Drop-off point
Find your nearest Drop-off point and safely place loose batteries into the collection bin.
- Consumers can search by postcode at bcycle.com.au
- Batteries should be removed from storage containers before being placed into the bin
Safe collection and transport
Collected batteries are safely transported to a B-cycle accredited recycling facility.
- Batteries are transported in accordance with dangerous goods transport regulations
- Special containers and equipment reduce fire and safety risks during transport
- Transport drivers are trained in battery safety procedures
Batteries are sorted
- Waste batteries are assessed for damage and chemistry type
- Damaged batteries may be isolated for safety, e.g. preventing fire hazards
Chemistry types include:
- Lithium-ion rechargeable
- Alkaline single-use
- Nickel-based rechargeable
- Button batteries
- Lithium primary single-use batteries
Large batteries from e-bikes and e-mobility devices may require additional handling, such as dismantling prior to recycling.
Batteries are processed
- Batteries are shredded
- Processed materials from the shredded batteries are then separated so they can be further processed to recover valuable materials
- Some alkaline batteries may instead be sent to a smelting facility to recover metals
Processed material includes:
- Steel casings (ferrous metals) can be used for steel making and foundry feedstock, and used to make new steel products such as construction materials and automotive products
- Copper and aluminium non-ferrous metals) can be refined into high-quality materials for new products, such as electrical wiring, building materials and automotive components
- Black mass (fine powder made up of recycled battery materials) can be used for refining of valuable commodities. Learn more about black mass below
- Small amounts of plastics and polymers can be used for recycled products
- Waste transformed to energy with remaining waste going to landfill
Black mass refining
- Black mass is a fine powder containing valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese
- Black mass is one of the most valuable outputs from battery recycling
- Alkaline black mass is different from lithium black mass and still makes up most of the material collected through B-cycle
Alkaline
- In Australia, valuable metals contained in black mass are recovered through smelting processes
- Alkaline black mass can be used in agriculture to return zinc and manganese to the soil, improving plant health
Lithium
- Lithium black mass is sent overseas to be further refined using chemical or heat-based processing
Learn more about black mass in Valuable Material Recovery below.
Valuable material recovery
Valuable metals are recovered from the black mass separated during alkaline and lithium processing.
- Zinc concentrate can be used in galvanising steel, fertiliser production and the manufacture of brass, rubber and tyres and chemicals
- Manganese-rich black powder can be used as additives for steelmaking, fertilisers, battery materials and pigments
- Metal compounds including lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper and aluminium can be used in:
- New batteries
- Electronics
- Industrial products
- Household items such as appliances, lighting, shelving, fixtures, framing and furnishings