B-cycle launches holiday battery safety campaign

B-cycle is drawing attention to a risk in Australian homes and waste collections that increases over the holiday season: the issue of improperly stored and disposed-of used batteries.

With many gifts — including toys, gadgets and decorations — relying on loose or portable batteries, homes across the country are left with a large number of used batteries by January, creating a hidden potential hazard.

“Improperly stored or disposed-of batteries, especially lithium-ion types, can ignite and cause devastating fires,” said Libby Chaplin, CEO of B-cycle. “This year alone, there have been hundreds of battery-related fires in Australian homes.

“It’s vital that we all address this seasonal surge in battery use by adopting safe recycling practices in every household.”

Nearly every state and territory fire and rescue service, along with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has warned that incidents of battery-related fires are rising across Australia. The ACCC saw a 92% increase in reported lithium-ion battery incidents in 2022 compared to 2020, including swelling, overheating and fires.

B-cycle is urging Australians to take particular care with popular gifts containing loose or portable batteries, such as games, power tools, personal care products, electronics and cameras. Button batteries, commonly found in toys, musical gift cards and books, are particularly hazardous; in addition to posing a fire risk, they can be swallowed by young children and pets, leading to serious harm.

“Whether you are giving or receiving battery-powered gifts, choosing high-quality batteries and chargers certified to Australian safety standards is a simple yet effective way to reduce fire risks,” Chaplin said.

When it comes to disposal of batteries, the organisation stresses that they should never be tossed in general waste or recycling bins. Instead, batteries should be taped with clear sticky tape, covering used battery terminals to prevent contact with other batteries and metals which can spark and cause fires. The batteries can then be taken to one of over 5200 accredited B-cycle Drop-off points nationwide.

“Never put batteries in general waste and recycling bins,” Chaplin said. “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.”

The waste and recycling industry estimates an alarming 10–12,000 battery-related fires occur each year in Australia’s waste and recycling streams, with the cost to replace a destroyed recycling facility being approximately $60 million, and to replace a damaged truck between $250,000 and $500,000.

Recycling via a safe scheme such as B-cycle helps to recover valuable materials like lithium, cobalt and nickel, and prevents harmful chemicals such as lead, cadmium and mercury from leaching into soil and waterways, protecting ecosystems and public health.

“Every battery you recycle becomes part of something new, powering the creation of fresh batteries, innovative electronics, and other essential products,” Chaplin said.

Launched in 2022, B-cycle is the flagship initiative of the Battery Stewardship Council (BSC), established in 2018. 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.

Visit B-cycle.com.au for more information.

Image credit: iStock.com/pedrosala