Batteries must never go in any kerbside bin. They cause fires in collection trucks and sorting facilities.
The detail#
Drop household batteries at a supermarket, library or council collection point, or a B-cycle drop-off. Many councils also take them at resource recovery centres. This is a safety rule, not a preference.
Note: This is not a kerbside bin item. Where it goes instead is set by your council, so check its drop-off points and hard rubbish process before you move it.
Check the rule for your council#
Councils set their own accepted-item lists. Open your council page from the home search to confirm the rule where you live, or start from your state:
- New South Wales council bin rules
- Victoria council bin rules
- Queensland council bin rules
- South Australia council bin rules
- Western Australia council bin rules
- Tasmania council bin rules
- Australian Capital Territory council bin rules
- Northern Territory council bin rules
The lid colours themselves follow Australian Standard AS 4123, so the colour code is national even where the accepted-item list is not. Where a council runs a food and garden organics service or a separate glass bin, the answer for some items changes.