Used batteries now being recycled

A wide range of used household batteries can now be dropped off at bins installed at selected supermarkets in Taupo and Turangi.

To save people making a special trip to the Broadlands Road landfill or transfer stations, Council has installed drop-off bins for batteries at the Pak’n’Save and Woolworths supermarkets in Taupo and at the New World supermarket in Turangi.

Batteries that can be disposed of in the bins include - AA, AAA, AAAA, C, D, nine volt, Big Torch Batteries, Camera Batteries and all rechargeable batteries.

Rechargeable batteries will be sorted out at the Broadlands Road Resource Recovery Centre and sent overseas for recycling. Non-recyclable batteries will be sorted and safely disposed of at the landfill in sealed concrete.

Taupo/Kaingaroa – Mangakino/Pouakani Committee Chairman Kathryn Uvhagen said that after so many years of advocating for the introduction of the bins, it is a relief to see the sustainability initiative in place and she encourages people to drop their used batteries into the bins when they visit the supermarket.

“We are hoping the drop off bins and the recycling facility at the landfill will reduce the volume of batteries being dumped in the main landfill – lessening the risk of chemicals from the used batteries leaching into the ground,” she said.

The bins are not for cell phone batteries which still need to be taken to your local cell phone supplier.