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Why batteries should never be disposed of in kerbside bins
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the frightening increase in battery related fires, with an estimated 10,000 such fires occurring in Australia last year.
Batteries contain reactive materials that can spark and ignite when crushed during waste collection or disposal. A single lithium-ion battery can generate enough heat to start a fire in a garbage truck or landfill, putting workers and infrastructure at risk.
Left in kerbside bins, batteries are more likely to be compacted and damaged. This mechanical stress can rupture casings, releasing chemicals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, cobalt and lithium salts. In addition to the fire risk these substances persist in the environment, polluting soil and waterways and are a potential hazard to the health of both humans and wildlife.
Accessible recycling programs such as B-cycle and Community Recycling Centres allow households to drop off used batteries at no cost. These programs enable the recovery of valuable metals and so support a circular economy for batteries by reducing reliance on virgin resources.
By making safe disposal part of our routine, we can all help to protect human health, prevent fires and conserve materials.
Always separate batteries from general waste, tape the terminals to prevent short circuits and store in a ventilated glass jar, out of reach of children until you can visit your local drop off point.
To find your nearest drop off location or learn more about safe battery disposal visit here or contact your local Council.
This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy