by Clean Up Australia 09/05/2024
Services, Social & Environmental Services
This is a sponsored article from SustainabilityTracker.com member Clean Up Australia.
Batteries in kerbside bins are causing fires. Instead, recycle them at any battery recycling drop-off point.
From laptop batteries to car-keys, smart-watches, and toys… batteries are in so many of the items we use daily – you might not even realise it. Batteries help us to stay afloat in our busy lives – they power our gadgets, toys, and tools. But when improperly disposed of, batteries are a significant safety and environmental risk.
Batteries cannot go in your kerbside bin. Here’s why.
BATTERIES ARE A LEADING CAUSE OF FIRES IN TRUCKS AND WASTE FACILITIES… AND HOUSES!
Batteries incorrectly thrown into kerbside bins are causing on average three fires a week in NSW alone. Cleanaway, one of the largest waste management companies in Australia, have reported that dangerous battery-related fires are becoming more common in their collection vehicles and at transfer stations. When compressed, batteries catch alight – and when they’re in contact with highly flammable waste, it results in enormous blazes!
As a Cleanaway spokesperson stated: “Putting batteries in your kerbside bins is dangerous and can have disastrous consequences – including putting community members and our waste team at risk.” There’s a growing risk with lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries, which are energy-dense and contain highly flammable electrolytes. Lithium-ion batteries are also highly sensitive to temperature changes.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in e-bikes, e-scooters, power packs and chargers. They’ve been named as the culprit behind a rising number of household fires across Australia. According to Fire Rescue NSW statistics, there have been 45 lithium-ion battery-related fires recorded in NSW so far this year, with 269 fires recorded in NSW in 2023 and 1000 across the entire country. On March 5, NSW recorded its first-ever deaths from a lithium-ion battery-related fire when two people were killed in a house blaze in Lake Macquarie.
BATTERIES DISCARDED IN LANDFILL BINS POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT
When disposed in landfill, batteries release toxins, including heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium and mercury that leak into the soil and groundwater. These materials pose harmful risks to human, animal and plant life when contaminating waterways and precious ecosystems via landfill.
BATTERIES ARE FULL OF PRECIOUS RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Sending batteries to landfill is a waste of valuable resources. As outlined by the Association for the Battery Recycling Industry, materials such as lead, cadmium, mercury, lithium, manganese, nickel and zinc are used to make batteries. These materials are all non-renewable, and valuable – they can be recycled an indefinite number of times!
WHAT’S THE SOLUTION? RECYCLE YOUR BATTERIES AT ANY DROP-OFF POINT
Batteries shouldn’t go in your kerbside bin, nor should they be left around the house – but you can recycle them via B-Cycle, or any other participating battery recycling drop-off point. The good news is that if recycled, 95% of the components of a battery can be turned into new batteries or used in other industries. By recycling your batteries, you’re actively taking part in the circular economy, while keeping your community safe, and contributing raw materials for new batteries.
B-Cycle accept household batteries, from most hand-held items including AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and 6V lantern, button batteries from devices such as watches and hearing aids, rechargeable batteries up to 5kg and easily removeable batteries. For more information visit www.bcycle.com.au.
For all other battery types, including mobile phone batteries, laptop or TV batteries, lead acid batteries and larger batteries, use Recycle Mate to identify your nearest drop-off point – at community recycling centres, participating Officeworks stores, or transfer stations.
HOW TO RECYCLE YOUR BATTERIES
Stay positive and drop-off your batteries for recycling!
