The NSW Setting Safety Authority will roll out social media content material that warns of the dangers of batteries and advises shoppers easy methods to correctly get rid of previous, unused or lifeless batteries.
A letter will likely be despatched to Councils, searching for their help to encourage residents to by no means discard lifeless batteries in family waste or recycling bins.
Hearth and Rescue NSW information reveals there was an nearly 20 per cent improve in battery-related fireplace or explosion incidents, when evaluating the primary half of this yr to the primary half of final yr.
Within the first six months of 2023 there have been 114 lithium battery associated fires, with key objects of concern being energy packs and chargers, micro-mobility units like e-bikes and e-scooters and moveable energy banks.
Native councils and waste contractors have seen a major rise within the variety of truck and garbage fires brought on by batteries, which if broken can explode and spark fires that are troublesome to place out.
Batteries that are thrown into garbage bins as a substitute of being disposed of safely additionally contribute to a rise in recyclable supplies winding up in landfill.
There are a number of recycling choices accessible to shoppers. Batteries will be taken to a Community Recycling Centre or dropped off at a devoted recycling level accessible at many giant retailers like Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings and Officeworks.
Merchandise with batteries embedded in them, like cell phones, laptops and energy instruments ought to be disposed of at an e-waste recycling facility or e-waste drop-off occasion.
To seek out out extra about secure battery disposal, go to the EPA web site.
To seek out out extra about battery and charging security, go to the Fire and Rescue NSW web site.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Setting Penny Sharpe:
“Batteries energy a lot of our lives, however the sight of flames erupting from a rubbish truck is a reminder they are often very harmful. The group wants to know that bins will not be the place for batteries.
“The excellent news is we are able to recycle 95 per cent of batteries. However in the mean time, solely 10 per cent are being recycled.
“It’s time to take cost of battery waste. Households want to present them a brand new life by taking them to your closest assortment web site or utilizing your council’s e-waste companies. It’s higher for the surroundings and likewise a lot safer.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Companies Jihad Dib:
“We’re seeing an rising concern with the rise within the variety of lithium battery fires in NSW. We’d encourage folks to watch out in how they use them within the dwelling.
“The batteries are beginning to function extra prominently in fireplace statistics, with lithium energy packs and charger fires an growing concern for fireplace crews.
“These fires are troublesome to extinguish and may trigger important harm to a house. We’d encourage householders to take care when charging units, observe charging directions and get rid of used battery merchandise safely.
“In case you are not sure about utilizing batteries, our firefighters are a part of the local people and I encourage you to ask their recommendation.”
Quotes attributable to FRNSW Performing Deputy Commissioner – Subject Operations, Trent Curtin:
“Firefighters are responding to a median of greater than three battery fires per week from in-home charging points or incorrect disposal.
“As we deliver extra batteries into our properties, it is necessary that we get rid of them appropriately as soon as they’ve reached the top of their life.”
