​Keeping Clutha bright: Battery recycling scheme a success

The Clutha District is embracing the opportunity to dispose of batteries at the designated sites that have been set up in four of our towns.

Clutha District Council Waste Education Officer Scott Martin said a total 549kg of batteries had been collected since the initiative began in July. This comprised 419kg of lead acid car batteries (dropped off at the Mount Cooee Landfill) and 130kg of smaller household batteries, which can include but are not excluded to, AAA/AA, button, embedded (e.g. vapes, laptops and fire alarms), and Lithium Ion for handheld power tools etc.

In fact, the uptake had been so good that another drop off location is now available at the Lawrence Community Library. Other collection units are located at Council’s reception in Rosebank Terrace, Balclutha Community Library, Tapanui Community Library and the Tokomairiro Community Hub with Project Bruce in Milton.

With collection now in Lawrence, there are six drop off locations around the district, including Mt Cooee Landfill, which accepts all batteries both large and small; people are advised to just let the operator at the kiosk know they have batteries for recycling and they will be pointed in the right direction depending on the battery type. All batteries are free to drop off for recycling with the costs associated with this service, to ensure batteries are recycled in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, covered by Waste Levy Funding from central government.

Mr Martin was pleased people were using the service and living up to the Council’s motto: Keep Clutha bright. Recycle your batteries right.

“The uptake and engagement with this new initiative for Clutha has been amazing. I have heard from many people that they have had a drawer full of old batteries that they didn’t know what to do with, so there will have been a good clear out, which is great. It is imperative that we keep these high risk, toxic items out of our waste stream and always recycle these finite resources where possible for future use.

“Previously we have not had an adequate disposal solution for batteries, but now we do. I encourage all Clutha residents to get on board with the responsible battery recycling that we now have available in our district, to keep on using this service and to let other friends and whānau know who may not already.

“Together we can keep Clutha Bright and keep batteries out of the rubbish where they pose a fire risk in collection trucks and the landfill, along with producing a harmful environmental leachate.”