New Battery Recycling Center Opens in Invercargill

Invercargill has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to recycle lithium and alkaline batteries, a first for the Southland region. This program is a collaboration between WasteNet, which handles waste disposal and recycling in Invercargill, Gore, and Southland, and Phoenix Metalman, a recycling company.

Phoenix Metalman recently launched its operation in Invercargill, with the facility open to the public. Located at 297 Bond St, adjacent to the Invercargill transfer station, it provides a centralised location for battery recycling.

Matthew Keil, the Invercargill City Council’s Manager of Infrastructure Operations, said, “This is the first time Southland has had anything like this. It provides a sustainable recycling process and can be used by all Southland residents.” He explained that batteries up to 20kg could be recycled at no cost, thanks to WasteNet covering the expense. Batteries over 20kg will have a charge.

Keil also highlighted the environmental importance of this initiative, saying, “We’ve had numerous fires at regional landfills this year, the cause of which has primarily been lithium batteries. Providing a recycling point for all kinds of batteries will reduce these fires but also other environmental risks.”

In response to the fire hazards posed by lithium batteries, they will now be banned from the waste stream to landfill. In addition to the main recycling point, WasteNet has partnered with Mitre 10 to facilitate the disposal of household batteries at their stores in Invercargill, Te Anau, Winton, and Gore.

Erin Moogan, Group Manager of Infrastructure, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “There has been a huge increase in battery usage thanks to the rise in technological advances and it has become a necessity to find a solution for batteries once they are at the end of their usable lives.” She described the dual disposal options as a significant achievement for the region and a major step in environmental protection.

Phoenix Metalman accepts various battery types for recycling, including lead acid, alkaline zinc, lithium, nickel metal hydride, and nickel-cadmium batteries. The facility opened to the public on Tuesday, 12 December 2023.