Switch on for bulb and battery recycling

Sydneysiders have no excuses left for throwing toxic batteries in the kitchen bin, with a free and easily accessible year-round service for bulb, battery and mobile phone recycling now available across the city.

Ten convenient recycling stations at community centres and libraries will mean residents can dispose of problem waste within walking distance of home instead of waiting for the City’s quarterly e-waste and chemical drop-off days to come around.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the new recycling stations made it easy for Sydney residents to get rid of unwanted and potentially toxic waste.

“Batteries, light bulbs and mobile phones don’t belong in our household bins,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Many of the materials from these products can be made into new products, sparing them from landfill which can damage the environment.”

“We want to make sure Sydney stays clean and beautiful and protect our local environment – now and into the future.”

Every week about one million light bulbs containing mercury are sent to landfill in Australia, despite the fact that 95 per cent of a light globe can be recycled for glass, metals, phosphor powder and mercury.

At least 345 million handheld batteries are used nationally each year, with around 16,000 tonnes of batteries thrown away annually. The City recovers around one tonne, or 21,500, of these used batteries annually at e-waste and chemical clean-up days.

Recycling is expected to increase as a result of convenient drop-off opportunities provided by the new stations – nominated sites include Surry Hills, Customs House, Newtown, Waterloo, Ultimo, Haymarket, Town Hall House, Redfern, Glebe, and Kings Cross.

The Lord Mayor said she hoped ‘take-back’ options would be available from manufacturers in the future, allowing residents to return used items for recycling.

For more information www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au