Batteries—in loose or embedded form—are an increasingly alarming hazard in both kerbside and commercial waste and recycling streams, including the organics recycling industry. The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR), the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA), and the recycling and resource recovery sector are overwhelmingly concerned about increasing incidents involving batteries causing property damage, serious injury, and death—and resulting in skyrocketing insurance fees and financial assurance requirements.

The rapid digitisation of everyday items, the increasing number of ‘smart’ and ‘disposable’ items such as vapes, containing embedded and sealed batteries, a lack of safe disposal options, and poor consumer education have all contributed to the steep rise in batteries in inappropriate waste streams, including organics. This is causing fires and property damage and is severely compromising the collection and resource recovery operations for recyclers all across Australia. It is also a significant risk to life; battery-related fires are often sudden and ferocious, fuelled by significant combustible materials within the waste stream—think paper, dry organic material, and other materials that are very easily burned.

In an organics processing facility, fires are disastrous. They are destructive to the materials being composted; they are a significant risk to infrastructure, equipment, and, of course, to the people working in the facility. They can be difficult to bring under control, and the costs incurred from a fire in a composting facility can disrupt commercial business operations for many weeks, causing considerable financial distress to the business. In the year ending June 30, 2023, there were over one thousand battery-related fire incidents reported in the waste and recycling sectors nationwide, amounting to over three a day.

Governments have a pivotal role to play in ensuring safe battery disposal. Critical actions include establishing a comprehensive collection network, initiating robust community education campaigns, reforming e-stewardship practices, and enforcing harmonised regulations.

Deposit schemes have proven successful in driving stronger collection outcomes. The success of container deposit schemes (CDS) serves as an example of how to align economic incentives with environmental goals, which will be a key tactic in promoting responsible battery disposal and recycling practices.

The Australian Organics Recycling Industry, through AORA in association with ACOR, is working collaboratively on this issue and is calling for urgent action to be taken immediately by the government.

As more and more batteries enter our homes and our lives, we have to consider their correct and appropriate disposal once they’ve reached the end of their life. The battery’s end-of-life has become a life-and-potential-death issue for the recycling and resource recovery sectors.

Justin Lance Marcel Lavadia

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Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.

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