Batteries and electronic devices with built-in batteries are causing about one fire each month in Council waste trucks.
Risky items include:
- Mobile phones and computers
- E-bikes
- Electronic toys
- Vapes
When these items go into waste trucks, they are crushed during collection. This pressure can cause batteries to spark and start fires. Burning waste must be emptied onto the street to stop trucks catching fire.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Virginia Tachos said the safety of our community depends on everyone doing the right thing.
“Placing e-waste and batteries in your regular household bins is dangerous. It puts waste truck drivers, the community and emergency services at risk,” she said.
“That’s why it’s important to take batteries and e-waste waste to proper recycling centres or drop-off locations.”
What is e-waste?
E-waste is any item with a plug, battery or power cord that doesn’t work or isn’t wanted.
Most e-waste contains materials that are harmful to the environment. E-waste recycling programs make sure that they are disposed of the right way. Electronic waste cannot be placed in your household bins.
Learn more on our E-waste page.
Visit one of our new e-waste hubs
Council offers many convenient drop-off locations for e-waste and batteries.
We’ve also recently opened four new e-waste hubs for small to medium items including batteries, phones and vapes at four new locations.
The new locations are:
- Brimbank Community and Civic Centre, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine
- Keilor Community Hub, 704B Old Calder Highway, Keilor
- Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House, 61A Selwyn Street, Albion
- Sunshine Leisure Centre, 5 Kennedy Street Sunshine
And remember we already have e-waste and battery drop-off points and e-waste hubs at:
- Brimbank Resource Recovery Centre, Stadium Drive, Keilor Park.
- Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre, Keilor Downs
- Brimbank Libraries in Deer Park, Keilor, St Albans, Sunshine and Sydenham
- CommUnity+ Neighbourhood House, Deer Park.
- West Sunshine Community Centre
- Westvale Community Centre, Kings Park.
Please check our website for the best places to drop off different types of batteries and e-waste.
