Discarded batteries are believed to have caused two ‘hot load’ fires in waste collection trucks last month, prompting Council to remind residents to dispose of batteries and e-waste correctly.
The incorrect disposal of lithium batteries, and electronic devices which contain lithium batteries, are believed to be responsible for an increasing number of ‘hot loads’ – fires which start within trucks colleting waste and recycling.
Lithium batteries are becoming increasingly popular and widespread, and can be found in e-waste components, such as vapes, phones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, power tools and solar power back-up storage devices.
Cairns Councillor Brett Moller, who is also Vice President of the Local Authority Waste Management Action Committee Inc (LAWMAC), said batteries should never be put in recycling or waste bins.
“Disposed batteries pose a significant risk and are known to have caused fires during waste collection, transportation, handling and processing,” Cr Moller said.
“In recent years we have seen significant infrastructure destroyed as a result of fires believed to be linked to the incorrect disposal of batteries.
“Late last year, a fire destroyed the Hume Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Canberra, with a subsequent investigation finding multiple batteries of varying types in the remains of the fire.
“There was also a fire at recycling facility in Kwinana, Western Australia, around the same time, which has also been linked to lithium batteries.
Cr Moller urged residents to think before tossing batteries and e-waste into their bins.
“Any battery has the potential to produce sparks and ignite a fire if it’s damaged,” he said.
“This year we have had multiple fires reported local waste and recycling collection trucks, most of which have been linked to incorrectly disposed batteries or e-waste.
“There is a risk to the drivers and the public and serves as a timely reminder to the community not to put batteries of any kind in the household recycling or waste bin.”
Rather than disposing of the batteries in bins, Cr Moller urged residents to store them, then take them to an appropriate disposal point.
“Residents can dispose of batteries free of charge at our transfer stations, as well as at Cairns Libraries and the Customer Service Centre in Spence St,” Cr Moller said.
“There are also a many other centres across the city that have areas set aside for batteries or e-waste (see list below).
“Batteries power phones, laptops, toys, and cars, but incorrect disposal is potentially putting lives, as well as vital infrastructure.”
Cr Moller said LAWMAC has also called on State and Federal Governments to improve battery stewardship on manufacturers of lithium batteries.
“Governments must take action to have manufacturers improve their design and technologies in dealing with the batteries at the end of their life cycle,” he said.
Where to take your batteries
Cairns Regional Council
Council provides free drop-off points for domestic quantities (less than 5kg) of hand-held batteries at:
- Council’s Customer Service Centre, 119-145 Spence St
- All Cairns Libraries branches
- Hambledon House Community Centre, Edmonton
- Waste and recycling transfer stations
Accepted:
- AA, AAA, C, D and all other common household battery types
- Removable battery packs from power tools, mobile phones and laptops
(NB: Lead acid batteries (eg car batteries) can only be recycled free of charge at Council transfer stations.)
Other drop off points in Cairns include:
- Battery World
- Bunnings
- Woolworths
- Cairns Hardware
- Total Tools
- Cornetts IGA
- Friendly Grocer
- AAAFNQ
- R&J Batteries
- Officeworks
