RURAL City of Wangaratta is urging people to stop throwing batteries in the general waste or recycle bins as they are causing truck and landfill fires.
Council director community and infrastructure Marcus Goonan said minor fires have occurred locally in both the back of waste trucks and at the landfill.
He said people can dispose of batteries safely and for free at council's transfer station or at several participating retail outlets.
"Please don’t put them in your waste bin," he said.
B-cycle drop off points in Wangaratta include Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Big W, Rock and Road Cycles, Bunnings Warehouse, and Wangaratta Works Depot on Sandford Road.
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“Improperly stored or disposed of batteries, especially lithium-ion types, can ignite and cause devastating fires,” warned Libby Chaplin, CEO of B-cycle.
“This year alone, there have been hundreds of battery-related fires in Australian homes.
“Never put batteries in general waste and recycling bins.
“They’re not just a fire risk at home - they can also harm workers in the waste and recycling industry and damage critical infrastructure.
"When a rechargeable battery is crushed inside a waste and recycling truck or at a recycling facility, it starts a chemical reaction that creates an explosive fire."
* Don’t toss them in general waste or recycling bins.
* Tape them using clear sticky tape. Cover used battery terminals to prevent contact with other batteries and metals which can spark and cause fires.
* Take them to one of over 5200 accredited B-cycle drop off points nationwide - for other locations visit http://b-cycle.com.au
