THE Surf Coast Shire is urging residents to properly dispose of batteries following a series of summer fires caused by incorrect disposal.<\/p>\n
The warning comes after two fire emergencies in Anglesea underscored the risks of improper battery disposal.<\/p>\n
In one case, a waste collection truck had to be escorted to the Anglesea landfill by the CFA when the driver noticed smoke from the garbage hopper.<\/p>\n
In a separate incident, a passer-by raised alarm after seeing smoke coming from the landfill.<\/p>\n
Staff responded by using an excavator to expose the smouldering battery and allow CFA officers to douse it with water.<\/p>\n
Cr Kate Gazzard said the incidents served as a reminder for people to take care with what they put in their red lid landfill bins.<\/p>\n
“These were lucky escapes due to the quick and decisive combined response,” Cr Gazzard said.<\/p>\n
“We appeal to anyone sending waste to landfill via kerbside bins, skip bins or a private waste contractor to be careful about what goes into their bins.”<\/p>\n
The Victorian government banned e-waste including batteries from landfills in 2019.<\/p>\n
“Hazardous items like batteries in general waste bins can cause fires in collection trucks or landfill, putting drivers and staff at risk,” Cr Gazzard said.<\/p>\n
“A fire at our landfill site could also potentially spread to surrounding bushland and put nearby communities at risk.<\/p>\n
“Fires can also severely disrupt operation of the landfill and Anglesea Transfer Station.<\/p>\n
“An emergency at the landfill during operating hours would mean closure of the landfill and transfer station, resulting in interruption to residents’ kerbside bin collections.”<\/p>\n
In response to the landfill fire, six CFA trucks and crews were deployed.<\/p>\n
Residents and businesses can dispose of various types of batteries for free at Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations.<\/p>\n
Smaller AAA, AA, C, D and nine-volt batteries can be dropped off for free at the shire’s civic office at 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay, or at participating retail stores.<\/p>\n
For more information and a full list of battery recycling locations across the Surf Coast Shire, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au\/batteries<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Surf Coast Shire is urging residents to properly dispose of batteries following a series of summer fires caused by incorrect disposal. The warning comes after two fire emergencies in Anglesea underscored the risks of improper battery disposal. In one case, a waste collection truck had to be escorted to the Anglesea landfill by the […]<\/p>\n