Residents incorrectly putting batteries and flammables in their bins has sparked a surge in fires in garbage trucks and at dumps.
There have been 140 rubbish fires in the past five years, with incidents of potentially deadly fires and explosions becoming concerningly frequent.
Batteries and other flammable items such as gas bottles should never be placed in household bins.
These fires aren’t just occurring at Council’s dumps, these items can also start a fire or explode in garbage trucks which can cause harm to bystanders and garbage truck drivers, destroy garbage trucks and potentially damage people’s properties.
In the past five years there have been 43 instances of what is called a “hot load” which is when a garbage truck must dump their entire rubbish load onto the street because of an explosion caused by a flammable item.
Batteries can be recycled for free at any of Council’s four Resource Recovery Centres located in Chandler, Willawong, Ferny Grove, and Nudgee.
Council also holds free Household Hazardous Waste days, allowing residents to dispose of items that are not accepted in general waste bins such as bleach and garden and pool chemicals.
Fire events:
- 2023/24 – 30
- 2022/23 – 34
- 2021/22 – 44
- 2020/21 – 25
- 2019/20 – 9
Resource Recovery Centres:
- 728 Tilly Road, Chandler – 6.30am to 5.45pm
- 101 Upper Kedron Road, Ferny Grove – 6.30am to 5.45pm
- 1372 Nudgee Road, Nudgee Beach – 6.30am to 5.45pm
- 360 Sherbrooke Road, Willawong – 6.30am to 5.45pm
Household Hazardous Waste days scheduled for 2024
- 7 September at Chandler
- 7 December at Nudgee.
Important tips with lithium-ion batteries:
- Can be known as lithium-ion, Li-ion, lithium-polymer, li-po, Li+ or other similar names
- They are in most rechargeable devices such as e-scooters and e-bikes, mobile phones, laptops, vacuum cleaners, power tools and toys
- Can come in a variety of shapes and sizes
- Should never be disposed of in any household bins, including the general waste and recycling bins
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
“We take community safely serious and unfortunately many residents don’t realise throwing batteries in their household bins is causing potentially deadly fires and explosions in our suburbs.
“Just recently a battery ignited and nearly struck someone in the head, we’ve had to dump loads of flaming rubbish on our suburban streets and fires are frequently starting in rubbish pits at Resource Recovery Centres.
“Batteries don’t belong in bins, and we all must take responsibility for keeping our city safe but also clean and sustainable.
“As residents buy more vapes, e-scooters and e-bikes it’s important batteries are removed and disposed of correctly and never put in household bins.”
Quotes attributable to QFD Assistant Commissioner John Cawcutt:
“It’s important that residents don’t dispose of rechargeable devices or batteries in their household bins because they’re likely to be damaged during the waste disposal process.
“Household bins will be emptied into a rubbish truck or dumpster that is likely to have a compactor to compress the waste and this impact is very likely to cause sufficient damage to spark ignition and a potentially significant fire or even explosion.
