A Merry solution for used batteries
Battery recycling drop-off to be located at Alexandra and Cromwell transfer stations.
Just in time for the holiday season, the Central Otago District Council (CODC) is launching a new initiative to help deal with battery recycling.
From Boxing Day December 26, 2023, new battery recycling drop-offs will be available at local transfer stations in the Central Otago district. This service is designed to handle a variety of electronic batteries, including button cells, alkaline, dry-cell, zinc, and lithium-ion batteries.
The Alexandra Menz Shed has constructed purpose-built drop-offs for the Alexandra and Cromwell transfer stations. The Ranfurly and Roxburgh transfer stations will also collect batteries in buckets, which will be transported weekly to the Alexandra transfer station.
CODC will trial the battery recycling service free of charge for about the next six months, with the costs being covered by Waste Minimisation funding from the Ministry for the Environment.
"This is a fantastic initiative for our district,“ CODC Infrastructure Manager Quinton Penniall said.
“We strongly encourage everyone to participate and use these facilities during this trial period to help keep batteries out of kerbside bins and the landfill.”
Batteries, particularly lithium batteries, are a main contributor to fires in kerbside collection vehicles and at landfills across New Zealand. They can pose a significant risk to staff operating in these areas.
Batteries will be transported for recycling to E-Cycle, which is based in Auckland and Christchurch.
Vehicle batteries are already accepted free of charge at Central Otago transfer stations.
PICTUED: Battery recycling drop-off to be located at Alexandra and Cromwell transfer stations.
