More than 170kg of batteries were sent to be recycled last week after two years of collection by Care for Hedland Association volunteers.

The project to recycle household batteries began with a competition between Hedland primary schools.

Volunteer Trish Bourke said it was fantastic to see the batteries finally make it to recycling and not to landfill.

When disposed of in landfill, batteries may be harmful to the environment, if cadmium, mercury or lead leak into the ground.

Waste management and recycling company Transpacific assisted with the cost of pre-paid boxes to pack the batteries in for recycling.

“It’s difficult to recycle with the cost of postage involved up here, so to have the boxes discounted by Transpacific was helpful and made it so easy,” Mrs Bourke said.

Program co-ordinator Pip Short said the association was looking for sponsors to continue the initiative.