Household batteries are some of the most useful and common items in our homes, but they have serious and harmful impacts if we dispose of them incorrectly, according to Hornsby Shire Council. This includes AA or AAA batteries, button batteries, and lithium batteries, which are particularly dangerous.
Fires caused by batteries placed in household bins are unfortunately becoming more common with the increase of rechargeable devices, placing people and the environment at risk. Last year, discarded batteries sparked over 10,000 fires in Australia.
Batteries should never be placed in any of your household bins, as they can overheat and catch fire inside collection trucks or at waste facilities. When they are exposed to the mechanical compaction in the back of collection trucks, combined with friction, heat, and other flammable material such as cardboard, this creates the perfect environment for fires.
Thankfully, it’s easy to store and recycle batteries safely. When your battery is used up, place some clear tape over the terminals and store them in a cardboard box or container with air flow until you can drop them off at your nearest battery recycling point. Most household batteries can be recycled at the Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre and other accredited B-cycle drop off points, which include major supermarkets and retailers.
To find your nearest B-cycle drop off point, visit bcycle.com.au