Poor recycling sparks Ballina blaze

A LARGE fire caused significant damage at the Ballina Resource Recovery Centre on Saturday, October 26.

The cause of the blaze at the recycling dome is unknown, but emergency workers discovered multiple hazardous materials at the site.

Multiple loose batteries, items with embedded batteries, gas bottles and chemical containers were found.

All are classed as hazardous waste and are prohibited from kerbside bins.

Ballina Shire Council is urging residents to review their recycling and ensure that dangerous items are not disposed of in kerbside collections.

Asset management and resource recovery manager Lloyd Isaacson said the team was relieved that no community members or staff had been injured.

“The fire has done significant damage to the recycling dome within our resource recovery centre,” he said.

“It’s also disappointing to see so much hazardous waste is still incorrectly being placed in kerbside bins.

“This incident isn’t the first fire we’ve experienced, but it’s the worst. We’ve had regular occurrences of small fires in our collection vehicles, at the centre and at our recycling facility.

“Typically, these are from lithium-ion batteries and items with embedded batteries like vapes.”

“We hope this fire will be a reminder to all residents that they must dispose of hazardous household waste like batteries, gas bottles, vapes and chemicals at our resource recovery centre. It’s free, and we are open seven days a week.”

The centre accepts a wide range of hazardous materials and e-waste. Batteries, embedded batteries, vapes, gas bottles, flares and chemicals can cause an explosion or fire in bins or facilities.

Other options are available throughout the community, such as battery recycle bins at supermarkets and Bunnings stores and the Mobile Muster recycling program at libraries.

Of particular concern are embedded batteries in many everyday items such as toothbrushes, Bluetooth speakers, flashing light toys, personal care devices, charging devices, e-scooters, e-bikes, remote-controlled toys, vacuum cleaners and wearable devices such as smart watches, trackers and medical aids.

Lismore is one of 21 locations across NSW participating in an embedded battery disposal trial.

For more information on disposing of these items, visit epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse/household-recycling-overview/embedded-batteries