Uralla Shire Council is urging residents to stop putting batteries in household rubbish and recycling bins after 15 fires broke out at the local Waste Management Facility since December, many of them believed to have been sparked by improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries.
The warning comes as an ongoing coronial inquest in Sydney has heard just how deadly these fires can be. Deputy State Coroner Kasey Pearce is overseeing the inquest, which is focused on four fires involving so-called micro-mobility vehicles, mainly e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards. The inquest has been told three people became trapped and died within minutes after devices exploded.
The latest data from Fire and Rescue NSW suggests lithium-ion batteries are now causing approximately six fires across New South Wales every week. Overcharging is a common trigger, as are dropping, crushing, piercing and vibration.
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said the risk these batteries posed was unlike ordinary fire.
“Fires caused by faulty or damaged lithium-ion batteries burn much more fiercely than regular fires,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
“The heat inside a compromised cell grows until it expels a toxic cloud of flammable gas that can explode in flames inside your home, or in a garbage truck.”
Lithium-ion batteries used in power tools are among the most dangerous when damaged or overcharged. Once ignited, these fires spread rapidly and are extremely difficult to control, putting waste workers, firefighters and members of the public at serious risk.
Uralla Shire Council Acting General Manager Mick Raby said the solution was straightforward.
“Battery fires burn hotter, spread faster and put lives in danger,” Mr Raby said.
“The most important thing residents can do is keep batteries out of household bins.”
Rather than placing batteries in the bin, residents across the Uralla Shire are being asked to use one of eight free local drop-off points: the Uralla Waste Management Facility and Community Recycling Centre, Council Administration Offices, Foodworks Uralla, Uralla Post Office, Bundarra Waste Management Facility, Kentucky Recycling Station, Invergowrie General Store, and the Kingstown Denali Family Store.
Before dropping off batteries, residents are urged to cover the terminals with clear, duct or electrical tape. This simple step prevents sparks and reduces fire risk during transport and handling.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority is backing the push with strengthened regulation and its “Never Bin a Battery” campaign, which encourages all households to use free recycling drop-off points instead of general waste bins.
More drop-off locations beyond the Uralla Shire can be found via the B-cycle Battery Recycling website. Residents can also search “battery epa” online or visit www.epa.nsw.gov.au/batteries for further information on safe disposal and local options.
“Help us reduce the danger by disposing of your batteries responsibly,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
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