Keep hazardous waste out of wheelie bins
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Earlier this month an emergency was averted by the swift actions of a truck driver undertaking kerbside waste collection on behalf of Redland City Council.
Redland City Mayor praised the JJ Richards employee who noticed his load had caught on fire and jettisoned it in the parking area next to Sel Outridge Park in Redland Bay.
A load had to be quickly jettisoned at Sel Outridge Park, Redland Bay, when it caught on fire during kerbside collection. Luckily the driver was unharmed and the mess was fully cleaned up once the fire was extinguished.
“These types of incidents are being increasingly reported by Council’s kerbside waste collection contractor, JJ Richards, with a ‘hot load’ last year burning right through the metal skin of a truck,” Cr Williams said.
“Hot loads are frequently the result of the wrong type of waste, most notably hazardous waste, being placed in household wheelie bins by residents.”
Cr Williams said there were good reasons for restrictions on what could be put in wheelie bins.
“Hazardous waste can catch on fire while being unwittingly transported in waste collection trucks, causing extensive damage to the vehicle and endangering the safety of the driver and potentially other road users,” she said.
“We’re appealing to residents to keep dangerous materials out of wheelie bins. That includes anything marked as toxic, hazardous, flammable or requiring caution.
“Household batteries and gas bottles are two of the worst culprits.
“In addition to the immediate dangers during transportation, hazardous waste can harm people and our environment when it ends up in our landfill and recycling centres.
“That’s why we’re urging everyone to take their hazardous waste to the appropriate drop-off points.”
Where to take hazardous waste
Council facilities
Gas bottles, car batteries, waste oil and asbestos can the taken to Council’s staffed Recycling and Waste Centre at Redland Bay, Birkdale, Coochiemudlo Island, Macleay Island, Russell Island and North Stradbroke Island.
Residents can safely dispose of an extensive range of hazardous waste at our Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre, including:
Acids and alkalis Chemical containers Coolants and brake fluids Engine oil Fire extinguishers Gas bottles, including butane cans Glue and solvents Herbicides Household chemicals Lubricant grease Mercury-containing lamps (unbroken only) Examples are compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and fluorescent tubes Broken lamps should be carefully sealed in a plastic bag and put in a waste wheelie bin Pesticides Petrol Pool chemicals Rust inhibitors Smoke alarms/detectors Thinners Wood preservatives Vehicle batteriesVisit Council’s website for more information on conditions and safe disposal of hazardous waste.
Other facilities
Council does not take all hazardous waste, some requiring other specialist disposal.
Flares and EPIRBS can be disposed of at three different locations. Check the Maritime Safety Website.
Household batteries can be taken to community drop off points.