Phone bulging and back cover lifting off (resolved with thanks)

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MikeB4

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#322855 30-Sep-2025 10:58

Since I stopped work I am a bit out of touch with this. I discovered my back up phone ( needed in case of medical emergency) has a bulge and the back cover is lifting off around the edges. The battery is kaput.

What is the correct and safest method to dispose of this ticking incendiary device? Is there a locale in the Wellington area to do this?

I have placed the phone in a fireproof container away fr property,

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

gehenna

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#3419989 30-Sep-2025 10:59

I think you can drop them off to a Spark store as they have recycling services.

Behodar

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#3419991 30-Sep-2025 11:01

One does (or at least did) too.

wellygary

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#3419996 30-Sep-2025 11:21

gehenna:

I think you can drop them off to a Spark store as they have recycling services.

I think the general drop boxes have a "not damaged" requirement somewhere... basically you're expected to take them to a landfill or transfer station where they collect hazardous waste.

Here's one from the Wellington sustainability trust,

"Any batteries that are swollen, leaky, rusty or corroded cannot be accepted and should be taken to the Hazardous Battery Dropoff point at the Southern Landfill."

https://sustaintrust.org.nz/our-recycling-programmes/batteries

MikeB4

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#3420016 30-Sep-2025 13:10

Thanks for that. We shall wander in there this weekend

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

ada101

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#3420032 30-Sep-2025 14:06

I had the same problem on a old iPhone 4(known as expanded phone). You can take it to an Authorised Apple service provider(I used Service Plus, chch) and Apple will replace the phone with a similar model (you have to pay for a new battery)

cheers