Battery fires are a growing hazard all around Australia, with an increasing number of deaths.
In NSW, new data reveals a record 275 battery related incidents were attended by Fire and Rescue NSW so far this year, averaging five a week.
Fire and Rescue NSW reported a 66% increase in lithium-ion battery fires between 2022 and 2023.
In February, an e-bike battery fire claimed two lives in Lake Macquarie. Since the start of the year, lithium-ion battery fires in NSW have injured 26 people and resulted in 876 evacuations.
The waste industry reports an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 battery related fires a year in Australia.
The State Government has announced it will tackle the growing risk of battery related fires by making battery suppliers participate in mandatory safe disposal of their products.
NSW and Victoria governments presented a draft regulation plan to assess options for mandatory measures to ensure batteries are safely managed throughout their lifecycle.
NSW committed to introducing legislation for mandatory battery regulation next year.
The battery plan highlights the challenges of managing the increasing number of devices with embedded batteries such as vapes, cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes, ebikes and escooters.
The changes will mean battery suppliers have to meet minimum standards and participate in a product stewardship scheme. This includes contributing to safer and more accessible battery disposal to prevent batteries from ending up in household bins and at waste facilities.
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said “batteries power our modern lives, but when they’re thrown in the garbage bin or not disposed of correctly, they become ticking time bombs.”
“Properly handling batteries isn’t just good for the environment – it’s critical for the safety of the community, firefighters and workers throughout the waste and recycling industry’, she said.
This information was provided by the NSW Government.