Discarded batteries can present dangers to personal health and the environment.  The City of Stirling values the importance of protecting our environment and undertakes a number of initiatives to maximise recycling and minimise waste.

The School Battery Recycling Program involving collection and recycling of dry cell batteries is just one of the City’s waste minimisation and environmental initiatives which have made the City the State’s most successful local government recycler.

Batteries and the environment
Used in most common household products and toys, batteries are part of our everyday lives. However, little thought is given to the chemicals they contain to generate the energy we use. When they run out of power, they are often thrown into the rubbish bin without a second thought.

Once a battery is in the waste stream, it becomes difficult to separate. Consequently it is sent to landfill with other non-recyclable products. Over time, the battery decomposes and dangerous chemicals seep into the ground and potentially our water supplies.  Recycling them keeps dangerous chemicals out of landfill.

About the School Battery Recycling Program
There are currently 59 schools participating in the program, and more are joining all the time. The program is aimed at educating children and adults on protecting the environment by collecting household batteries for recycling. (Batteries from Commercial Outlets will not be accepted)

As a performance incentive to schools the City offers financial rewards, these are presented at the end of each term to the top four schools (based on average battery weight collected per student). An ‘Incentive Award’ cheque is also presented to one school each term.

From 2012 the City will be awarding the top 4 prizes to schools that show improvement from one term to another in their battery collections.  this will allow for schools that have never been in the prize running to have a shot at receiving an award for their efforts in collecting batteries and saving the environment.

School Battery Recycling Program Results 

Latest Result - Term 4 2011
Well done to Churchlands Primary School for winning 1st prize in the competition.  Prizes are to be awarded to the following schools for their battery recycling achievements and efforts.

Boyare School with the Mayor receiving a $200 cheque for winning 3rd place in the battery recycling program for Term 3 2011






Results for 2011

	Term 1	Term 2	Term 3	Term 4
1st	Sir David Brand  School	East Hamersley    Primary  School	Sir David     Brand School	Churchlands Primary School
2nd	North Beach Primary School	North Beach                 Primary School	Balga                      Primary  School	North Beach Primary School
3rd	Newborough Primary School	Sir David Brand School	Boyare Primary School	Karrinyup Primary School
4th	North Morley Primary School	North Morley Primary  School	Hale School Junior	Sir David Brand School
Incentive Award	Tuart Hill                       Primary School	West Morley Primary School	Warriapendi        Primary School	Coolbinia Primary School

Results for 2010

	Term 1	Term 2	Term 3	Term 4
1st	North Morley Primary School	North Beach Primary School	Sir David Brand School	Newborough Primary School
2nd	Sir David Brand School	Doubleview Primary School	North Morley Primary School	North Morley  Primary School
3rd	North Beach Primary School	Deanmore Primary School	North Beach Primary School	Sir David  Brand School
4th	Balcatta Primary School	Sir David Brand School	Newborough Primary School	Karrinyup Primary School
Incentive Award	Newman College Junior	Balga Senior High School	Balga Primary School	Dryandra Primary School

Schools participating in the program
The City wishes to thank all of the schools taking part in the program for their important role in the collection and recycling of dry cell batteries.

Schools participating in the program:

• Balcatta Primary School
• Balga Senior High School
• Balga Primary School
• Boyare Primary School
• Carine Primary School
• Carine Senior High School
• Carmel High School
• Carmel Primary School
• Chrysalis Montessori School
• Churchlands Primary School
• Coolbinia Primary School
• Deanmore Primary School
• Doubleview Primary School
• Dryandra Primary School
• East Hamersley Primary School
• Glendale Primary School
• Hale School Junior
• Hale School Middle/Senior
• Holy Rosary Primary School
• Inglewood Primary School
• Karrinyup Primary School
• Lake Gwelup Primary School
• Mirrabooka Education Support Centre
• Mirrabooka Primary School
• Mirrabooka Senior High School
• Mt Lawley Primary School
• Mt Lawley Senior High School
• Newborough Primary School
• Newman College Junior
• Newman College Senior
• Nollamara Primary School
• North Balga Primary School
• North Beach Primary School
• North Morley Primary School
• Osborne Park Primary School
• Our Lady of Grace Primary School
• Perth College Junior School
• Scarborough Primary School
• Sir David Brand School
• St Andrew's Grammar School
• St Denis' Catholic Primary School
• St Dominic's Primary School
• St Gerard's Primary School
• St John's Primary School
• St Mary's Anglican Girls' Junior School
• St Mary's Anglican Girls' Senior School
• St Paul's School
• Sutherland Dianella Primary School
• Takari Primary School
• Tuart Hill Primary School
• Warriapendi Primary School
• Wembley Downs Primary School
• West Balcatta Primary School
• West Coast Steiner School
• Westminster Primary School
• West Morley Primary School
• Woodlands Primary School
• Yokine Primary School
• Yuluma Primary School

How your school can join the program
It is very easy for your school to join the program, simply contact Judy Scott,  Waste Services Development Officer - Waste Services, on 9345 8555 or email the City at stirling@stirling.wa.gov.au to arrange a battery receptacle to be placed at your school.

What dry cell batteries are collected?
The City of Stirling has a focus on the recovery and recycling of the following dry cell batteries:

These batteries:

• Are single use non-rechargeable consumer batteries.
• Make up the majority of batteries used by Australian households.
• Are manufactured in three main shapes: cylindrical (AAA, AA, C and D sizes), rectangular (six and nine volt sizes) and button shaped.
• Are commonly alkaline batteries with Zinc and Manganese chemistry.

Battery information sourced from Planet Ark. Visit www.planetark.com for more information.

Collection and recycling is the solution
Until very recently, no recycling option has been available in Australia for dry cell batteries. In previous years, City of Stirling has focused upon recovery and safe disposal by encapsulating batteries in concrete before being landfilled to stop chemicals seeping into the environment.

November 2008 saw alkaline dry cell batteries recycled for the first time in Australia. Alkaline batteries are the most commonly used dry cell batteries in Australia, representing 80% of batteries thrown out.

AusZinc Metals & Alloys is a new battery recycling initiative, which will recycle batteries for the recovery of all metals and other components of the used cells.

Alkaline batteries contain about 20% by weight of zinc. Zinc will be recycled and used for example, to coat steel products to stop corrosion, to make metal automobile parts, and to make fertiliser.

The batteries that cannot be recycled in Australia will be exported to existing recycling facilities in Europe.

Battery collection points for residents
The City encourages residents to separate dry cell batteries from everyday rubbish and drop them off at one of the City's collection points for recycling.

Prior to May 2008, the Recycling Centre Balcatta was the designated collection point for used dry cell batteries. However, to encourage battery recycling, a number of collection points throughout the City are now available to residents.

Collect your used batteries and drop them off in the special battery recycling bins located at:

• Balga Community Centre, 81 Camberwell Road, Balga
• City of Stirling Administration Centre, 25 Cedric Street, Stirling
• City of Stirling Work Depot, Natalie Way, Balcatta
• Dianella Library, Waverley Street, Dianella
• Inglewood Library, Corner Beaufort Street and Tenth Avenue, Inglewood
• Karrinyup Library, Davenport Street, Karrinyup
• Karrinyup Shopping Centre, 200 Karrinyup Road, Karrinyup
• Mirrabooka Library, 8 Sudbury Place, Mirrabooka
• Mirrabooka Square Shopping Centre, 43 Yirrigan Drive, Mirrabooka
• Nollamara Community Centre, 72 Sylvia Street, Nollamara
• North Beach Community Centre, 20 Castle Street, North Beach
• Osborne Library, 9 Royal Street, Tuart Hill
• Recycling Centre Balcatta, 238 Balcatta Road, Balcatta
• Scarborough Library, 173 Gildercliffe Street, Scarborough
• Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre, 62 Alexander Drive, Inglewood
• Westfield Innaloo Shopping Centre, Ellen Stirling Boulevard, Innaloo

Alternatively, your child or your neighbour’s child may wish to take the battery from you to help their school in the competition. If your local school does not collect batteries, encourage them to sign up to the program.

Rechargeable batteries – reducing waste
The City asks that you consider buying rechargeable batteries. Most rechargeable batteries can be recharged up to 1000 times.

Mobile phone batteries (and mobile phones)
Mobile phone batteries should be separated from household waste and disposed of at recycling centres.Mobile phone batteries and mobile phones can be disposed of at most mobile phone retailers and collection points within the City taking part in the MobileMuster recycling program. Over 90% of the materials in mobile phones, accessories and batteries can be reycled.

The City's MobileMuster collection points are listed below:

• Recycling Centre Balcatta, 238 Balcatta Road, Balcatta
• City of Stirling Administration Centre, 25 Cedric Street, Stirling
• City of Stirling Works Depot, Natalie Way, Balcatta
• Dianella Library, Waverley Street, Dianella
• Inglewood Library, Corner Beaufort Street and Tenth Avenue, Inglewood
• Karrinyup Library, Davenport Street, Karrinyup
• Mirrabooka Library, 8 Sudbury Place, Mirrabooka
• Osborne Library, 9 Royal Street, Tuart Hill
• Scarborough Library, 173 Guildercliffe Street, Scarborough
• Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre, 62 Alexander Drive, Inglewood
• Herb Graham Recreation and Fitness Centre, Chesterfield Road, Mirrabooka
• Hamersley Community Recreation Centre, Belvedere Road, Hamersley

See www.mobilemuster.com.au for further information and collection points.

Car batteries
The City accepts car batteries at the Recycling Centre Balcatta, 238 Balcatta Road, Balcatta. The lead and cases are recycled.

For further information on battery recycling or any other recycling please call Judy Scott, Project Officer – Waste Services, on 9345 8555 or email the City at stirling@stirling.wa.gov.au