Depots open to get batteries out of bins and reduce fire risk
South Australians can now drop off embedded battery products at 4 sites across Adelaide, helping to keep batteries out of bins and addressing a rapidly growing fire risk.
Embedded batteries are commonly found in rechargeable devices and can easily spark fires when compacted with other materials in collection trucks and waste facilities – putting truck drivers, facility workers and households at risk.
The 4 dedicated collection points, funded by Green Industries SA, are equipped with dedicated battery bins to reduce the risk of fires and safely isolate batteries when needed.
“These drop-off sites will provide South Australians with a free and safe option to dispose of embedded batteries, enabling them to be recycled and kept out of landfill,” said Lucy Hood MP, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.
The collection points are located at Campbelltown Works Depot, Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre (North Plympton), Heathfield Resource Recovery Centre and NAWMA Resource Recovery Centre (Edinburgh North).
Accepted embedded battery items include:
- bluetooth speakers and headphones
- flashing/light-up toys, and remote controlled and ride-on toys
- e-scooters, skateboards and hoverboards
- e-bike batteries
- electric toothbrushes and shavers
- cordless and robotic vacuum cleaners
- wearable devices, such as smart watches, trackers and medical aids.
Batteries disposed of in kerbside bins contribute to more than 10,000 battery fires in Australia each year, threatening community safety and key services.
Recent South Australian incidents believed to be linked to batteries include major fires at Goolwa and Port Augusta waste and recycling depots, and a blaze in the back of a collection truck in the Adelaide CBD.
“The number of fires caused by embedded batteries across the country is truly frightening,” said Rhiannon Pearce MP, Minister for Emergency Services.
“We are urging people, especially over the Christmas holiday period, to think about how they dispose of items with embedded batteries, especially lithium-ion ones, so they can keep themselves and the community safe.
MFS Chief Officer Jeff Swann said “lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we rely on every day, but when they’re damaged, modified, or charged incorrectly, they can become extremely volatile.
“Our firefighters are increasingly responding to incidents that were near misses, and it’s clear we’re heading towards a serious injury, or worse, if behaviours don’t change”.
In addition to the newly opened embedded battery collection depots, South Australians can continue to safely dispose of their loose and easily removable batteries – such as AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, 6V, button cell, and detachable appliance and power tool batteries – at accredited B-cycle locations.
Learn more about accepted items and collection point opening hours.
