Household Embedded Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are found in most devices and can be more dangerous than traditional batteries. Incorrect battery disposal can result in injury, fire hazards and environmental harm.

They should never be disposed of in your household waste or recycling bins.

Whilst some can be easily removed and taken to existing collection points under the B-cycle scheme, others found in common household devices are embedded and cannot be easily removed.

Council together with the North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils, is running a Household Embedded Battery Amnesty Weekend to help you safely dispose of these problematic and dangerous household items. There is no charge for disposal of accepted devices.

Following the amnesty event, residents can also drop off these items at Council's waste facilities until 15 November 2026:

Products accepted as part of the collection scheme:

Common items you might have at home that may contain an embedded battery are:

• Bluetooth speakers and headphones
• Vapes
• Electric toothbrushes
• E-scooters, E-bikes and hoverboards
• Vacuum cleaners (cordless hand-held and robotic)
• Personal care devices (e.g. shavers)
• Flashing, light-up and audio toys (e.g. light-up wands, novelty toys with sound or lights)
• Powerpacks and portable charging devices
• Remote controlled and ride-on toys
• Wearable devices such as smart watches, trackers and medical aids

Do not try to remove the embedded battery from these devices if it is not able to be clicked out by hand. Using tools to remove the battery may cause damage and increase the risk of fire.

Products not accepted as part of the collection scheme:

Items not accepted or covered under other product stewardship schemes should be directed to Council's existing collection points.

These include:

• Televisions, computers, printers, computer parts and peripherals collected via the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
• Mobile phones and associated accessories collected via Mobile Muster collection points.
• Loose batteries up to 5kg collected under the B-cycle scheme.
• Oversized items greater than 20kg or of a bulky nature (requiring more than one person to lift).
• Electric Vehicle batteries.
• Household Battery Energy Storage Systems.
• Mobility Scooters.

The Household Embedded Battery Collection is proudly funded through the Queensland Government's Local Government Battery Collection Program.