Binned batteries cause waste collection fires

THE City of Ballarat has partnered with Sustainability Victoria to launch the Small Acts, Big Impact campaign to encourage residents to keep used batteries out of bins.

Residents can drop off used household, computer and car batteries for free at the Ballarat Transfer Station so they can be recycled.

When batteries are thrown away in household bins, they can cause fires within the bins, in waste collection vehicles, recycling facilities and landfills.

There were three incidents of cordless power tools causing sparks inside City of Ballarat waste collection vehicles last year.

The tools were incorrectly thrown into the recycling bin, emptied into the collection truck and compacted, creating small fires.

“Batteries can be dangerous if not disposed of correctly,” mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said.

“It only takes a few minutes to drop them off safely to the Ballarat Transfer Station and it makes a big difference.”

Although waste collection vehicles have fire extinguishers and a fire suppression system, damage from fire and water means the affected truckload of recycling must be sent to landfill.