Research shows that almost half (41 per cent) of Victorian households with young children are incorrectly placing batteries in household rubbish bins. In response, Sustainability Victoria has launched a new campaign to raise awareness about the safe disposal of batteries and electronics in the lead-up to peak buying season.
When single-use batteries and electronics end up in kerbside bins or landfill, they pose serious risks. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite when crushed in garbage trucks or recycling facilities, causing dangerous fires that endanger waste workers and the community. They also leach toxic chemicals into the environment.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) estimates they attend one fire a day caused by rechargeable batteries.
“When electronic items containing rechargeable batteries are crushed in collection or recycling trucks after being incorrectly disposed of in kerbside bins, they can catch alight. This puts the community at risk,” said Darren McQuade, Fire Rescue Victoria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Community Resilience.
A fire in a rubbish truck also forces waste and recycling to be dumped in public spaces – a huge cleanup job for councils and its workers.
Sustainability Victoria’s Small Acts Big Impact batteries and electronics campaign is a timely reminder as Victorians head into the peak season for buying and upgrading devices. With many households welcoming new phones, tablets, gaming consoles and small appliances during the festive period, more batteries are entering homes, posing a greater risk of incorrect disposal later.
Matt Genever, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainability Victoria, said despite e-waste being banned from landfill since 2019, too many batteries still end up in household bins.
“This campaign is about shining a light on the embedded batteries in everyday items like electric toothbrushes, vacuum cleaners, power tools, e-bikes, vapes, and portable chargers, and reminding Victorians that batteries and e-waste do not belong in kerbside bins,” Genever said.
“It’s a small act that has a big impact on the safety of our environment and community.”
To make safe disposal easier, Sustainability Victoria is expanding battery drop-off points across the state on behalf of the Victorian government.
Glen Eira City Council is one of the first recipients of new funding and will use it to expand vape collection services across the municipality, while Pyrenees Shire Council will set up three new battery drop-off points and upgrade its two existing collection sites.
For an interactive map of safe disposal locations, visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
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