Capalaba residents are being warned to stop putting old batteries in household bins after a string of fires erupted in local garbage trucks, fires that could have seriously injured workers or caused major property damage.
Why Batteries Are A Serious Fire Risk
Even flat batteries can hold enough charge to ignite under pressure. When crushed in garbage trucks, they can overheat and spark fast-moving fires.
One Capalaba truck had to dump its load in a suburban street to stop a blaze from spreading. Redland City Council is urging residents to keep batteries, especially lithium-ion types, out of household bins.
State-wide Action Now Underway
The Queensland Government launched a $2 million safety campaign to tackle battery fires in household waste. The “Bin Blaze Ban” program helps councils like Redland by funding more drop-off points and public education.
Officials say battery fires have more than doubled since 2020, often caused by items like power tools, laptops and greeting cards. The state is working with councils and retailers to improve safe disposal options.
Safer Choices For The Capalaba Community
Capalaba locals are being urged to use B-cycle, the national battery recycling program, which offers free and safe disposal at hardware stores, supermarkets and council facilities. By visiting bcycle.com.au, residents can find the nearest place to drop off their used batteries.
Council staff have stressed that avoiding a fire could be as simple as setting batteries aside until they can be properly recycled. They’re calling on families to make it a habit, not just to protect the trucks and staff, but to keep neighbourhoods safe.
Keeping Waste Workers And Residents Safe
Redland City Council says it’s relieved no one’s been hurt, but warns that battery fires still put lives and property at risk. Just one blaze can shut down a street, threaten nearby homes or fill the air with toxic smoke.
Crews are now trained to spot early signs of trouble, like heat or smoke during their rounds. But the real fix, Council says, starts with the community knowing what not to toss in the bin.
Published 2-June-2025
Featured Photo Credit: Canva / For Illustration Purpose Only
