14 Feb Battery Fires on the Rise: Don’t Bin Batteries

There are a growing number of fires relating to inappropriate disposal of batteries: Residents and businesses are urged to dispose of batteries safely to prevent fires at home, in garbage trucks and at waste facilities. This message is part of a regional campaign, “Don’t Bin Batteries – It Only Takes One Battery to Spark a Fire”, which aims to raise awareness of the risks of improper battery disposal and encourage safe recycling practices. The campaign is part of a regional collaboration between Councils in southeast NSW, facilitated by the Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CRJO) and funded by the NSW EPA.

Battery fires are a growing concern in Australia, with incidents significantly increasing in recent years. The waste and recycling industry is fighting up to 12,000 battery related fires a year, and warns that customers will ultimately pay for the crisis without change. Incorrect disposal of batteries in household bins is believed to have caused the fire that destroyed Canberra’s recycling plant on Boxing Day 2022, according to an investigation by ACT Fire & Rescue.

The investigation found lithium batteries, sometimes found in household batteries like AA, AAA, and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in laptops, mobile phones, and cameras, were the suspected cause of the fire. Rebuilding the facility in Hume is expected to cost $26 million.

Photographed: Batteries that caused fires at council’s waste facilities.

Safe Battery Disposal Options: Batteries contain valuable materials like lithium, nickel, and zinc that can be recovered and reused in new products if recycled properly. However, the current national recycling rate for household batteries is estimated at only 15%.

Businesses can safely dispose of batteries at various locations, including major supermarkets, and retailers. Loose handheld batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, 6V, and button cell) can be recycled at Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, IGA, and Bunnings stores, as well as B-cycle accredited locations. Businesses can also become an accredited B-cycle drop off point for batteries.

Councils accept these batteries from residents, including car batteries at their Community Recycling Centre, at their waste management centre or during yearly Household Chemical Cleanout events. Before taking used batteries to a recycling collection point, it is advised to tape both ends of the terminals to reduce the risks of sparks that can ignite a fire and store them safely out of reach of children.

 Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Catch Fire: Lithium-ion batteries are energy-dense and contain flammable electrolytes. Several factors can cause them to catch fire, including overcharging, overheating, physical damage, short-circuiting, and manufacturing defects. When a lithium-ion battery fails, it can undergo thermal runaway, which involves a violent explosion of one or more battery cells, releasing toxic, flammable, and explosive gases, and an intense fire that’s difficult to extinguish. If a device or battery starts to smoke or emit flames, residents should evacuate the area immediately and call 000 for help.

In summary, batteries should never be disposed of in the bin, they need to be dropped off at a dedicated collection site. You can find more information on the NSW EPA website.

For more information on Canberra Region Joint Organisation​​​ (CJRO).