Council is urging residents to stop putting batteries in household rubbish and recycling bins after a spike in dangerous fires at the local Waste Management Facility.
Working alongside Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Council is warning that improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries are a serious and growing risk to the community.
Since December, 15 fires have broken out at the Uralla Waste Management Facility – many believed to have been caused by batteries that were crushed, damaged or incorrectly disposed of in general waste.
Instead of binning batteries, residents should use one of the free local drop-off points:
- Uralla Waste Management Facility and Community Recycling Centre
- Council Administration Offices
- Foodworks Uralla
- Uralla Post Office
- Bundarra Waste Management Facility
- Kentucky Recycling Station
- Invergowrie General Store
- Kingstown Denali Family Store
More locations are available via the B-cycle Battery Recycling website.
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said lithium-ion battery fires are especially dangerous.
“Fires caused by faulty or damaged lithium-ion batteries burn much more fiercely than regular fires,” he said.
“The heat inside a compromised cell grows until it expels a toxic cloud of flammable gas that can explode in flames inside your home, or in a garbage truck.
“Help us reduce the danger by disposing of your batteries responsibly.”
Lithium-ion batteries, especially those used in power tools, can ignite suddenly if damaged, overcharged or exposed to heat. These fires spread rapidly and are extremely difficult to control, putting waste workers, firefighters and the public at serious risk.
The EPA is responding with strengthened regulation and its ‘Never Bin a Battery’ campaign, encouraging all households to use free recycling drop-off points instead.
Uralla Shire Council Acting General Manager Mick Raby said safe disposal is simple but critical.
“Battery fires burn hotter, spread faster and put lives in danger,” he said.
“The most important thing residents can do is keep batteries out of household bins.”
Before dropping off batteries, residents are urged to tape the terminals with clear, duct or electrical tape to prevent sparks and reduce fire risk during transport and handling.
For more information on safe disposal and local drop-off locations, visit: www.epa.nsw.gov.au/batteries
Media Release: Uralla Shire Council
