Spotlight on battery safety as fires increase
Residents in NSW are being urged to use, store and dispose of batteries safely due to a sharp rise in battery related fires and explosions.
Due to a significant increase in the number of truck and rubbish fires caused by batteries, the spotlight is on their safe disposal. In fact, Fire and Rescue NSW report a 20 per cent increase in battery-related fire incidents.
Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe reminds us that dead batteries don’t belong in our household bins.
“Batteries power so much of our lives, but the sight of flames erupting from a garbage truck is a reminder they can be very dangerous. The community needs to understand that bins are not the place for batteries,” Minister Sharpe said.
“It’s time to take charge of battery waste. Households need to give them a new life by taking them to your closest collection site or using your council’s e-waste services. It’s better for the environment and also much safer.
“It’s easy to recycle your dead batteries. In fact, when disposed of properly 95 per cent of battery components can be recycled into new products.”
When a battery has reached its end of life, terminals should be taped with clear sticky tape, duct tape or electrical tape as even stored batteries can pose a risk if terminals are exposed.
Once taped, batteries can be taken to a Community Recycling Centre or dropped off at a dedicated recycling point available at many large retailers like Woolworths, Bunnings and Officeworks.
Mobile phones, laptops, power tools and other devices with batteries embedded in them, can also be recycled by disposing them safely at an e-waste recycling facility or e-waste drop-off event.
Use the B-cycle search tool to find a battery drop off point near you to safely dispose of your old batteries.
Read more about Battery safety to prevent fires (nsw.gov.au)