By Laura Chung
There has been a 20 per cent increase in lithium battery-related fires in NSW in the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year as authorities urge residents to think twice about how they dispose of them.
Batteries thrown into rubbish bins instead of being disposed of safely also contribute to an increase in recyclable materials winding up in landfill.
The NSW government is concerned about the emerging issue of lithium battery fires and is pushing for greater public awareness.Credit: NSW government
In the first six months of this year, there were 114 lithium battery-related fires, with key items of concern being power packs and chargers, micro-mobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters and portable power banks.
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 that are difficult to put out.
Residents should instead take batteries to a community recycling centre or drop them off at a dedicated recycling point available at many large retailers such as Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings and Officeworks.
Meanwhile, 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.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said while batteries power so much, they can be dangerous if not disposed of correctly.
“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.”
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib added that battery fires were difficult to extinguish and could 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,” he said.
Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Deputy Commissioner of Field Operations, Trent Curtin, said that firefighters were responding to an average of more than three battery fires a week from in-home charging issues or incorrect disposal.
These included a battery fire that started from a mobile data terminal in a ward of Campbelltown Hospital on July 21. Staff were treated for smoke inhalation and the ward was cleared of patients.
Another incident involved a man sleeping in his Merewether home when a fire started from an e-scooter on July 24. The man jumped out the window after a neighbour heard the smoke alarm and woke him. The home was damaged.
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