Battery safety to prevent fires

The NSW Minns Government is urging households to use, store and dispose of batteries safely to combat the surge in house, garbage truck and waste facility fires.

9 August 2023

 

THE  Government is raising awareness of how to prevent these potentially deadly fires and save lives.

 

The NSW Environment Protection Authority will roll out social media content that warns of the risks of batteries and advises consumers how to properly dispose of old, unused or dead batteries.

A letter will be sent to Councils, seeking their support to encourage residents to never discard dead batteries in household waste or recycling bins.

 

Fire and Rescue NSW data shows there has been an almost 20 per cent increase in battery-related fire or explosion incidents, when comparing the first half of this year to the first half of last year.

 

In the first six months of 2023 there were 114 lithium battery related fires, with key items of concern being power packs and chargers, micro-mobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters and portable power banks.

 

On Monday 10 July, as previously reported by the Grapevine, a waste collection driver was forced to, and did so safely, eject the truck’s load of yellow lid bin recycling, in a carpark on Evans Road Toukley after the driver observed smoke within the collected waste inside the truck. NSW fire fighters contained the area and helped to extinguish the fire.

 

This followed a separate incident the previous week where a waste truck was forced to eject its load of bulk kerbside waste collection at an oval in Kariong. NSW Fire Brigade investigators identified the source of the fire coming from a box of discarded mobile phones with lithium batteries, wrongly placed inside the bulk kerbside waste.

 

Local councils and waste contractors have seen a significant rise in the number of truck and rubbish fires caused by batteries, which if damaged can explode and spark fires which are difficult to put out.

 

Batteries which are thrown into rubbish bins instead of being disposed of safely also contribute to an increase in recyclable materials winding up in landfill.

 

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said, “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.

 

“The good news is we can recycle 95 per cent of batteries. But at the moment, only 10 per cent are being recycled.

 

“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.”

 

There are several recycling options available to consumers. Batteries can be taken to a Community Recycling Centre or dropped off at a dedicated recycling point available at many large retailers like Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings and Officeworks.

 

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said,  “We are seeing an emerging issue with the rise in the number of lithium battery fires in NSW. We would encourage people to be careful in how they use them in the home.

 

“The batteries are starting to feature more prominently in fire statistics, with lithium power packs and charger fires an increasing concern for fire crews.

 

“These fires are difficult to extinguish and can cause significant damage to a home. We would encourage homeowners to take care when charging devices, follow charging instructions and dispose of used battery products safely.

 

“If you are unsure about using batteries, our firefighters are part of the local community and I encourage you to ask their advice.”

 

Products with batteries embedded in them, like mobile phones, laptops and power tools should be disposed of at an e-waste recycling facility or e-waste drop-off event.

 

To find out more about safe battery disposal, visit the EPA website.

 

FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner – Field Operations, Trent Curtin said, “Firefighters are responding to an average of more than three battery fires a week from in-home charging issues or incorrect disposal.

 

“As we bring more batteries into our homes, it is important that we dispose of them correctly once they’ve reached the end of their life.”

 

To find out more about battery and charging safety, visit the Fire and Rescue NSW website.