Keep batteries and battery-powered products out of household bins!
From musical greeting cards to flashing toys, battery-powered gifts can pose safety risks if thrown in household bins.
The National Retail Association is offering free resources to help retailers answer the growing customer questions and guide safe battery disposal this festive season.
National Retail Business Support Program
The National Retail Association, with support from the Queensland Government, is visiting retailers in 100 shopping centres and retail precincts across Queensland to help teams respond to the growing number of customer questions about how to safely dispose of batteries and battery-powered items.
This free education program provides retailers with practical information and materials to help customers do the right thing, reduce safety risks, and prevent unwanted dumping of batteries at retail sites.
Why it matters
Batteries and battery-powered products are now part of everyday life, found in everything from vapes, toys, watches, and power tools to musical greeting cards and electric toothbrushes. However, when disposed of incorrectly, these items can cause fires, environmental harm, or damage to waste facilities.
Customers frequently ask retailers what to do with used batteries, especially when they can’t be accepted through in-store collection bins. If staff don’t have the right information, these products can end up dumped at retail sites or placed in kerbside bins, where they may be crushed or compacted with flammable materials such as cardboard or paper, leading to serious fire risks.
Helping customers find the right way to dispose of used batteries isn’t just about safety, it’s good customer service. Retailers who provide clear advice reduce the risk of unwanted dumping at stores, protect staff and property from fire hazards, and build trust with customers looking for reliable information.
Free resources
The National Retail Association has developed a set of FREE resources to help retailers and their teams respond to customer questions about battery disposal and prevent unsafe dumping at retail sites.
These materials are available to all retailers to download and use in-store or online to help raise awareness, improve customer service, and reduce fire and safety risks associated with incorrect disposal.
Resources include:
- A Retailer Factsheet – guidance for staff to answer customer questions
- An A4 Poster – to display in-store or at service counters
- A DL Flyer – to share with customers showing how to safely prepare and dispose of used batteries
Simple actions retailers can take
Retailers can play a key role in supporting safe battery disposal by taking a few simple steps:
- Identify products in-store that contain batteries including embedded or non-removable types*.
- Explore the Recycle Mate website (https://recyclemate.com.au) and ensure there are viable safe disposal options for the batteries you sell.
- Access free information and resources on the National Retail Association website.
- Educate your customers on how to safely dispose of batteries. Use posters and flyers at the point of sale to help spread the word.
These simple actions help prevent unwanted dumping, reduce fire risks, and improve customer confidence in your store’s environmental knowledge.
*Identifying hidden battery products
Many products contain embedded or non-visible batteries that are easily overlooked, particularly during the Christmas season when novelty gifts are popular.
Examples include flashing shoes, musical greeting cards, vapes, toys, and small electronics. Raising awareness of these hidden batteries helps retailers reduce risks and keep customers informed.
Learn MoreIndustry engagement
The National Retail Association Policy team have been engaged by QLD Government to develop practical resources about safe battery disposal and engage thousands of QLD businesses across 100 shopping centres and precincts. Our team are visiting retailers who may sell batteries or battery-powered products, providing a printed kit of posters, factsheets and customer fliers – handy for the Christmas gift-buying season!
Contact the NRA’s Sustainability Team at sustainability@nationalretail.org.au for further information.