Unsafe disposal of hazardous waste poses serious risk

They are known as “dangers in disguise” and if they’re not disposed of appropriately they can pose a serious risk to the community.

Potentially dangerous materials and items, such as batteries (including lithium, household and lead acid batteries), flares, EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) and gas bottles, oil and asbestos, should never be disposed of in household kerbside bins.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said there were safe and easy alternatives for Redlands Coast residents who needed to dispose of hazardous waste.

“We need residents to understand the importance of safe disposal to themselves and their community and be aware that they have Council and community drop-off points where they can easily take hazardous waste,” Cr Williams said.

“In the past 12 months, Council’s waste contractor collection trucks have had two fires or ‘hot loads’, as well as eight gas bottles identified and other incidences involving oil, paint and chemicals being disposed of unsafely.

“When hazardous items end up in the wrong place the results can pose a serious risk to the community, to the environment and to Council collection vehicles.”

Cr Williams said lithium batteries for example can heat up and explode when compacted in a waste truck hopper, sparking potentially life-threatening fires.

“Collection services drivers, other road users and anyone nearby could very well be seriously injured,” she said.

“So, please, play it safe and ensure all dangerous materials are disposed of properly.”

Council has the following advice on where hazard items can be disposed:

Empty gas bottles: BBQ gas bottles and cylinders can be taken to Council’s Recycling and Waste Centres (except Lamb and Karragarra islands) for recycling. All other gas bottles including LPG tanks should be returned to the supplier. Flares: find drop-off locations on the Flare disposal page on the Maritime Safety Queensland website. EPIRBs: Refer to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority website for more information. Batteries: Lead acid car/vehicle batteries can be taken to Council’s Recycling and Waste Centres (except Lamb and Karragarra Island) for recycling. For the disposal of household and other battery types, check B-cycle.com.au Oils: Used engine oil as well as used cooking oil (vegetable oil only) can be recycled at Council’s Recycling and Waste Centres.  Oil can be decanted on site and container taken home. Never pour oils down the drain, this can cause serious damage and injure marine life. Asbestos, suspected asbestos and fibre cement sheeting: Before handling asbestos make sure you check how to do so safely by going to asbestos.qld.gov.au. To dispose of, double-wrap asbestos in 0.2mm thick plastic and duct tape; take it to a gated Council Recycling and Waste Centre including North Stradbroke Island, Russell Island, Macleay Island, Coochiemudlo Island, Birkdale and Redland Bay; declare at gatehouse; unload by hand into designated bins.

More information is available at Council’s hazardous waste items webpage, with more waste and recycling details at www.redland.qld.gov.au.

Redlands Coast residents are also reminded that dumping these items illegally can lead to a penalty of up to $18,150.