Ask Phoebe: Batteries and normal light bulbs safe in household waste, but rules not clear on fluoro and energy-savers

Wrap any broken glass in newspaper to prevent injury during handling of the rubbish bags. File photo / SNPA

Before Auckland became a "super city", the Auckland Regional Council ran regular collections of hazardous waste by the Hazmobile. This has now been discontinued, and as far as I can tell from the Super City website, there is now nowhere to legally dispose of household batteries and used long-life light bulbs. These are not supposed to be put into the ordinary household collection or recycled, and will not be accepted by the transfer stations. I now have a large collection of used batteries (AA, AAA, 9 volt) and bulbs (which turned out to be very short lived and expensive!), and would like to dispose of them safely and legally. Can you help? Karen Muller-Cleary, Auckland.

The Ministry for the Environment website advises that single-use dry cell batteries (i.e. non-rechargeable) of types zinc carbon, zinc chloride and alkaline manganese, and of the sizes you describe, are not classed as hazardous waste and are acceptable to dispose of in household waste. For more information on battery disposal go to tinyurl.com/lf37djc. The ministry website also has useful information on the disposal of light bulbs. In essence, it says:

"Incandescent lamps (both the old-style tungsten filament and more efficient tungsten halogen ones) and other halogen lamps can be disposed of with household rubbish. Wrap any broken glass in newspaper to prevent injury during handling of the rubbish bags.

"Fluorescent lamps, including the well-known compact fluorescent lamps (the ones commonly called energy-saving), are different because they contain small amounts of mercury. While the mercury poses no immediate threat to human health or the environment when the lamps are used, mercury is a toxic substance so these lamps need to be managed properly when they become waste.

You'll need to check with your local authority as disposal options can vary for different regions."

Auckland Council's website advises that energy-saving light bulbs are not acceptable at its transfer or recycling stations. However, the EECA Energywise website suggests that if your local council won't accept these light bulbs for recycling, you can wrap them carefully in a sealed glass or plastic jar and put them in your normal household rubbish, preferably outside.

Confusing, isn't it? I'm not sure what the definitive answer is, but would be delighted to hear.

Could you please tell me what all the construction is about at the Wainui Rd overpass on SH1 between the Silverdale and Orewa offramps? I assume it is a new on/off ramp for the fast-developing Millwater area.

John Adendorff, North Shore.

The NZ Transport Agency says south-facing ramps - an off-ramp for northbound traffic and an on-ramp for drivers heading south - are being constructed by the developers of the nearby Millwater sub-division. The developers are responsible for the design, construction and full cost of the ramps. The ramps will comply with Transport Agency's standards, and are due to open next August.

Update

The inscription INVOCAMVS 31:7, seen in Takapuna and Newmarket , is apparently just a marketing ploy, to draw attention to a movie called Deliver us From Evil. Glad that's sorted.