Burning issue: Recycling truck fire sparks battery warning

A truckload of recyclables had to be dumped on the verge of a local reserve in Carine last week after a fire broke out in the back of a kerbside collection truck.
 
The fire, which was likely started by a lithium-ion battery, caused extensive damage to the Veolia truck.
 
Firefighters rushed to the scene and extinguished the blaze, before City of Stirling staff completed a clean-up around the reserve.
 
The next day, a car battery was pulled out of a kerbside recycling bin in Scarborough, preventing potential contamination and the risk of another fire.
 
Australian industry research shows there are around 30 battery fires a day – more than 10,000 a year – across the nation’s waste, resource recovery and recycling services.
 
The problem has worsened with the proliferation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries found in items such as electric toothbrushes, vapes, watches, mobile phones and toys.
 
These batteries are more volatile than others and can be easier for people to overlook because of how they are integrated into devices.
 
Concerningly, the number of lithium-ion battery fires attended by WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services has tripled since 2020.
 
“There have been plenty of warnings about the dangers of putting batteries in the bin, but the message doesn't seem to be getting through,” City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin said.
 
“Every week around Australia, battery fires damage homes and businesses, disrupt waste services and harm the environment.
 
“More importantly, they pose serious risks to the safety of residents, truck drivers and other workers in the waste industry.
 
“The message is simple: never bin a battery.”
 
Loose batteries can be taken to hundreds of free drop-off points across Perth at locations such as supermarkets, retailers and council facilities.
 
Items containing embedded batteries should be taken to designated e-waste collection points.
 
As well as preventing fires, responsible disposal of batteries prevents them ending up in landfill, where they can release toxic heavy metals into the soil and groundwater.
 
It can also enable valuable materials in the batteries to be recovered and reused.

Find your nearest drop-off point at https://recycleright.wa.gov.au/find-my-nearest/