Murrindindi Shire Council is alerting residents to the serious risks of improper battery disposal, following a blaze at a local landfill, believed to have been caused by a lithium battery incorrectly placed in household rubbish.
The fire broke out at Alexandra Landfill on 4 January, after a garbage load began emitting smoke, before setting fire to surrounding waste at the landfill site.
Landfill staff quickly worked to isolate and control the burning material using on-site machinery to separate burning waste, before CFA emergency services arrived to fully extinguish the fire.
Mayor, Damien Gallagher said the fire is a serious reminder that batteries must be disposed
of safely.
“This fire started during a very hot weekend, just one day before a Total Fire Ban was declared for Murrindindi Shire, and it could have had serious consequences,” he said.
“Batteries of any kind must not be placed in garbage or recycling bins. Even small household batteries can cause fires in bins, in garbage and recycling collection trucks, and at landfill sites. If this battery had caused a fire in the collection truck, the driver may have been forced to empty the load on the side of the road, creating a very hazardous situation during an extremely hot, dry and windy day.
“While attending the landfill fire on 4 January, I witnessed the avoidable and potentially toxic conditions that Council staff, dedicated CFA volunteers, and the community were exposed to. I strongly urge both visitors and residents of Murrindindi Shire to dispose of batteries safely and responsibly. Let’s work together to keep our community safe by disposing of batteries the right way,” he said.
The Council regularly promotes safe and free battery disposal, encouraging residents to
store unused batteries in a container and drop them off at a number of local disposal locations.
