Prevent battery fires with three simple steps
Bega Valley Shire Council’s Waste Services team is advising residents to be aware of the fire risks posed by incorrect battery disposal.
This small handful of batteries caused the fire at the Hume Materials Recovery Facility in Canberra.
31 May 2024
Bega Valley Shire Council’s Waste Services team is advising residents to be aware of the fire risks posed by incorrect battery disposal.
“Batteries, particularly lithium-ion rechargeable ones, present significant fire and contamination risks to the environment,” Waste Education Officer, Rebecca Bruce said.
“Because of the volatility of batteries used in products like power tools and laptop computers, our staff are frequently dealing with fires caused by lithium-ion batteries at our landfill site.
“This adds to fires that take place in waste trucks and household bins simply because batteries have entered the waste stream.
“In 2022, just a handful of everyday batteries caused a fire that destroyed the Hume Materials Recovery Facility in Canberra.
“This facility processed all of our shire's recycling. Now Council must pay extra to transport recycling to the Kurrajong Recycling Facility in Wagga Wagga.
“To prevent fires and reduce the risk of harm, we ask everyone to follow some simple steps when disposing of batteries.
“First, never dispose of batteries in any of your household bins. Fires can start in your bin, waste trucks, or landfill, posing significant risks and releasing toxic fumes.
“Second, a recommendation from the B-cycle National Battery Stewardship Scheme is to cover battery terminals with clear sticky tape before disposal. This significantly reduces the risk of fires and applies to all household batteries, including button batteries.
“Third, use only approved facilities for battery recycling.”
Ms Bruce said the approved facilities can be found at several spots across the shire. These are:
- Community Recycling Centre at the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre
- Mobile Community Recycling Centre (currently located at the Wallagoot Waste and Recycling Centre for May and moving to Bermagui in June)
- Community Recycling Stations at local shire libraries
- B-cycle drop-off bins in select local shops and supermarkets.
“A good tip is to regularly recycle batteries to make taping less of a chore and minimise fire risks at home,” Ms Bruce said.
“Recycling can recover 95% of a battery's components for use in new batteries or other industries. They contain hazardous materials like lead, cadmium and mercury, which can harm people, animals and the environment if not disposed of properly.”
For more information on Council’s Community Recycling Centre, library recycling stations and the mobile CRC schedule, visit Council’s website.
To find your nearest B-cycle drop-off point and to learn more about the National Battery Stewardship Scheme, visit the B-cycle website.
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© Bega Valley Shire Council 2024
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Zingel Place
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