The success of a recycling trial for household batteries at Paraparaumu Library has prompted Kāpiti Coast District Council to extend the trial to Ōtaki.

Waste projects manager Robbie Stillwell says domestic batteries can now be dropped in a custom-built cabinet at Ōtaki Library, from where the council will send them to Upcycle for recycling

“Since the trial began in Paraparaumu in July 2023, we’ve been able to divert about 320kg of dead household batteries from landfill, so we’ve decided to extend this facility to Ōtaki Library, too,” Robbie says. “About 99 percent of the components in domestic batteries may be able to be reused in new batteries and steel building reinforcing rods.

“This extends the use of valuable resources and allows us to divert hazardous waste from landfill where it can leach into the soil and waterways. It also reduces the risk of old batteries starting fires in rubbish or recycling bins and collection trucks.”

Normal household batteries, such as lithium-ion or Li-ion (including rechargeable ones), nickel cadmium and alkaline AA/AAA, C, D, and N batteries, and silver zinc hearing aid batteries – all in good condition – can be dropped off.

People can still drop off their old batteries for free at the Otaihanga or Ōtaki transfer stations, but those facilities are only for safe disposal. The library will recycle them for other uses. The transfer station also might not be convenient for people who have just a couple of batteries to dispose of.

The library has several safety measures including using a non-metal bucket that lowers the combustion risk. People are asked to tape the ends of lithium-ion batteries with tape provided at the recycling station.

Leaking or damaged batteries, or batteries for power tools, electronic devices or vehicles will still need to go to the transfer stations.