City and Local School Energise the Environment

Melville Primary School Deputy Principal Rob Briggs said the importance of caring for our environment was an underlying theme of the school’s science program. “One of the ways we demonstrate this on a daily basis is by recycling as much of our waste as we can. We aim to recycle all paper and cardboard, drink bottles, juice boxes, cans and any other items that are recyclable,” he said.

“Several years ago we started offering the school as a drop-off point for flat dry cell batteries. The plan was to take the batteries to a place where they could be recycled or disposed of safely. The search for disposal sites has taken a long time but we are now very pleased to be able to send our batteries to the City of Melville. However, children and their parents are still urged to deposit batteries at school if that is the most convenient solution for them,” he said.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said The Waste Authority had estimated more than 18 million household batteries were thrown away in WA each year, which could have serious safety and environmental impacts. “The City of Melville seeks to remind residents to dispose of batteries correctly and safely – at the City’s Civic Centre (10 Almondbury Road, Booragoon), Operations Centre (Bramanti Road, Murdoch) or Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre (Leach Highway, Winthrop),” he said.

Sustainability Officer Sarah Wallrodt explained there were hazards associated with used dry-cell batteries, including corrosiveness, reactivity and use of heavy metals. “Several types of batteries use heavy metals as electrodes or to increase their lifespan. These metals include mercury, cadmium, silver and zinc, which should be kept out of landfills. There can also be implications for human and animal health when exposed to high concentrations of heavy metals. By separating dry-cell batteries from ordinary household rubbish, the valuable resources contained within can also be recycled into a range of new products, such as street lights and car parts, rather than going to waste,” she said.

The battery recycling bins located at the City’s centres are designed with a slot in the top to allow batteries to be easily and safely deposited. The types of batteries accepted include:

•     AA and AAA cells (single-use and rechargeable batteries)

•     C and D-sized batteries

•     Button batteries (e.g. from watches)

•     9V batteries

•     6V batteries (e.g. lantern/torch batteries)

In addition to the City of Melville drop-off points for safe disposal and recycling of batteries, further locations and information can be found by visiting www.zerowastewa.com.au.

-(Sources of some information include the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council and ADEQ Hazardous Waste Division, Milly Archer, 2002)