Council warns of fire and driver safety risk from batteries in bins

Redland City Council is urging residents to dispose of batteries correctly and not in kerbside bins following two fires in waste collection trucks this year.

Batteries, in particular lithium-ion batteries, can catch fire or, in extreme cases, explode when damaged or exposed to heat sources. They are also harmful to the environment.

Lithium-ion batteries can be found in many powered items including mobile phones, laptops, power tools, vacuums, vapes, children’s toys, e-scooters and e-bikes.

Mayor Jos Mitchell said batteries placed in kerbside bins or in bins at Recycling and Waste Centres could cause fires either in the bin or waste collection trucks, at recycling facilities or in landfill.

“This poses a risk to the truck drivers, workers at the facilities, emergency services and the community,” Cr Mitchell said.

“This year, smoke or fire has been detected in two Redland City Council waste collection trucks, in Capalaba and Ormiston, and once at Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre.

“In these instances, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services was called and the loads needed to be disposed of in a controlled location.”

Residents are urged not to bring lithium-ion or electrical vehicle batteries to Council Recycling and Waste Centres as they are not accepted due to the fire risk. The centres do accept normal vehicle batteries.

For information on local drop-off points for all batteries go to the battery recycling webpage at bcycle.com.au

More information on the risks and safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries is available on the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website.