A Christmas reminder: Never Bin a Battery
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In the past 12 months, there have been seven potentially deadly "hot loads" where batteries have caused a fire inside a kerbside collection truck as the load was compacted.
Additionally, there have been 13 battery-related fires at Council waste transfer facilities, which could have caused millions of dollars in damage.
As Christmas approaches, Council is urging residents to ensure old batteries don’t end up in kerbside bins.
Approximately 80% of household batteries used across Australia are considered single use.
Despite being recyclable, an alarming 97% of these batteries – around 8,000 tonnes annually, are incorrectly disposed of in landfills.
Batteries in kerbside bins pose significant environmental and safety risks.
Containing hazardous materials like lead and mercury, they can contaminate soil and water in landfills.
Additionally, batteries are a major fire risk due to their combustible and corrosive components.
Batteries are often found in everyday household items, so it’s important to remove them before recycling or disposing of these products correctly.
Common items with hidden batteries include:
Mobile phones and tabletsWatches and clocks, including smartwatchesToysVapes and e-cigarettesPower toolsRemote controlsDigital camerasElectric toothbrusheseScootersCouncil is calling on all residents to avoid placing batteries in kerbside bins and instead take them to designated recycling drop-off locations.
This simple action can help prevent the increasing number of fires in kerbside bins and waste collection trucks caused by batteries.
Council’s Director for Cairns Infrastructure and Assets, Mark Wuth, said this simple action can help prevent the increasing number of fires in kerbside bins and waste collection trucks caused by batteries.
"As we approach the holiday season, it's vital that we all take responsibility for recycling batteries safely,” he said.
“Batteries that are wrongly placed in kerbside and other bins pose a real danger to people and facilities as they can easily start a fire.
“The message is simple, ‘Never Bin a Battery’. By doing so and properly disposing of batteries, and items with embedded batteries, we can protect both our environment and our community.
“Together, we can ensure a safer, more sustainable future for everyone.”
For information on your nearest battery recycling drop-off point, visit cairns.qld.gov.au/never-bin-a-battery.