More battery collection points will be set up across Victoria. The aim is to help households safely dispose of used batteries.
A total of $1.7 million in funding has been made available through the Circular Economy Hazardous Waste Fund. The funding will support local councils and registered charities. Grants of up to $22,000 can be used to install and promote new battery drop-off units.
These sites will accept many types of batteries. This includes loose household batteries, batteries inside small devices like electric toothbrushes and shavers, and larger batteries up to 60 kilograms. Batteries from e-cigarettes and vapes will also be accepted.
The goal is to reduce the number of batteries going into kerbside bins. Batteries placed in household waste can cause fires in collection trucks. Fire services have reported more of these incidents in recent years.
E-waste is one of the fastest growing types of waste in Australia. Batteries inside toys, e-scooters and other devices can harm the environment and health if not handled properly.
In earlier funding rounds, two projects received $3.5 million to build new lithium-ion battery recycling facilities. These sites are in Stawell and Campbellfield. They will increase Victoria’s ability to process 19,500 tonnes of battery waste each year.
More than $7 million has been invested in hazardous waste management in Victoria over the past five years.
For more information, visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ceif-hazardous-waste-round-4.