Battery fires spark summer safety warning
Household batteries are increasingly linked to fires in bins, rubbish trucks and recycling facilities as post-Christmas clean-ups begin across Australia.
Fire authorities, councils and waste operators across the country have issued repeated warnings this summer, as battery-related fires continue to damage vehicles, facilities and put workers and communities at risk.
B-cycle CEO Libby Chaplin said summer is a high-risk period, particularly following Christmas when households are more likely to discard old electronics and used batteries.
“Batteries don’t belong in household bins,” Chaplin said. “When batteries are crushed in waste or recycling bins or rubbish trucks, they can ignite and cause fires very quickly. These incidents are happening now, and they are largely preventable.”
New national data confirms the scale of the issue and the opportunity to reduce risk.
B-cycle’s Positive Charge Report provides new national insights into battery use and disposal, estimating that Australian households currently hold more than 110 million loose or removable batteries, with the average home storing around 11 used batteries across everyday items such as toys, tools, remotes and electronics.
While the new report data shows household behaviour is improving, nearly half of households are still disposing of batteries in general waste or recycling bins at least some of the time, continuing to drive preventable fire incidents.
“After Christmas, many homes have new devices and a lot of used batteries,” Chaplin said. “If those batteries are thrown away into waste or recycling bins, they create a real fire risk for households, waste workers and emergency responders. There is also a risk if batteries are littered as they can spark a fire if they are damaged during routine mowing or slashing.”
Although the risk is lower, fire risk can also begin inside the home if batteries are stored incorrectly, “Many people assume that used or flat batteries are completely inactive, but they can still hold residual energy,” Chaplin said. “When batteries are stored loose in drawers, containers or garages, and their terminals touch, or if the batteries are damaged, they can spark or overheat.”
“That’s why it’s important to tape battery terminals, store batteries safely and recycle them as soon as possible. These simple steps significantly reduce fire risk.”
The latest data from B-cycle also shows Australians now have more access than ever to safe battery recycling, with more than 5,700 B-cycle Drop off points nationwide and 95% of Australians living within a 15-minute drive of a Drop off location.
“The ease and convenience in recycling means there’s no need for batteries to go in bins or be hoarded in homes,” Chaplin said. “The steps are simple: tape the terminals, store batteries safely, and take them to a B-cycle Drop off point.”
“As battery use continues to grow, particularly lithium batteries, summer clean-ups and post-Christmas disposal are a critical moment for action,” Chaplin said. “Doing the right thing with batteries helps protect workers, infrastructure and communities this summer.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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B-cycle is Australia’s official national battery stewardship scheme. It provides a free and accessible way for households to recycle used batteries safely and responsibly across Australia
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The Scheme is authorised by the ACCC and operates nationwide in partnership with battery brands, retailers, local government, waste and recycling operators and other industry participants
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Australian households are estimated to hold more than 110 million loose or removable batteries
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The average household stores around 11 batteries across everyday items such as toys, tools, remotes and small electronics
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Nearly half of households still dispose of batteries in general waste or recycling bins at least some of the time
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There are more than 5,700 B-cycle Drop off points operate across Australia
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95% of Australians live within a 15-minute drive of a Drop off location
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Drop off points are commonly found at major retailers, supermarkets, council facilities and community locations
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B-cycle accepts common household batteries, including:
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AA, AAA, C, D and 9V batteries
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Lithium and alkaline batteries
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Rechargeable batteries from household devices
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What cannot be recycled through B-cycle:
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Embedded batteries that cannot be easily removed from products
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Large battery packs or industrial batteries
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Car batteries and lead-acid batteries
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Consumers should follow local council advice for these items
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Before recycling, households are advised:
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For fire prevention and child safety, tape battery terminals with clear sticky tape. For general household batteries such as AA, this is on both ends. For button batteries, completely enclose the used battery in tape
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Store batteries safely and away from heat
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Take used batteries to a B-cycle Drop off point as soon as possible
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More information and Drop off locations are available at bcycle.com.au
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About us:
ABOUT BSC AND B-CYCLE: The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC), established in 2018, aims to build and sustain a strong battery stewardship community, supporting Australia’s transition to a circular economy. Its flagship initiative, the B-cycle Scheme, is Australia’s first nationwide, government-backed battery stewardship scheme, facilitating safe and accessible battery recycling for consumers across metropolitan, regional, and remote areas. Launched in 2022, B-cycle is authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and supported by the Federal, State and Territory Governments. It unites industry, government, and everyday Australians under BSC’s vision to ensure the responsible management of batteries across their entire lifecycle while conserving Australia’s finite resources.
Contact details:
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: Libby Chaplin, CEO, B-cycle
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Claire Maloney | 0431 279 785 | claire@thebraveryishere.com
