Batteries, globes and phones collected at libraries

Unwanted household batteries, light globes and mobile phones are being collected for recycling in new bins installed at Woy Woy and Umina libraries.

Central Coast Council is calling the bins "problem waste units".

"We are really hoping these new units will encourage more people to take up the opportunity to responsibly dispose of these problem wastes," said Council acting senior manager Mr Andrew Pearce.

"A recent report from the CSIRO found Australian's only recycle two per cent of lithium-ion batteries purchased with 3300 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries going to landfill annually," he said.

"After items are dropped off they are transported to a specialised facility to recover materials for reuse, with any materials from the batteries and phones that cannot be recovered disposed safely into approved landfill sites."

Mayor Cr Jane Smith said Council was committed to ensuring the Central Coast reuses and recycles as much as possible.

"Most of us use batteries and light globes and have mobile phones lying around the house but what is not as well known is that they contain valuable elements that can actually be recycled," she said.

"Too often they are placed in the bin or left lying around the house because we don't know what to do with them.

"Batteries, light globes and mobiles phones contain toxic chemicals, which can cause possible pollution, contaminate our landfills and pose significant fire and explosion risk.

"Keeping small batteries around the home can be equally hazardous, especially for households with young children."

Older model mobiles, smart phones and their accessories are accepted.

MP3 players and tablets cannot be placed in the units, though can be disposed of through the free e-waste recycling service at Woy Woy tip.

Fluorescent tubes are also not accepted at the libraries, but can be dropped off free of charge at Woy Woy tip.

Any light globes or fluorescent tubes must be intact at time of disposal.

SOURCE:

Media release, 5 Sep 2018

Andrew Pearce, Central Coast Council