Lithium-ion batteries cause daily garbage truck fires in Melbourne

Garbage trucks in Melbourne are catching fire, and lithium-ion batteries are often to blame. Firefighters in Victoria have responded to nearly one fire each day caused by these batteries. The trend appears to be growing worse, with fire officials expressing concern about improper battery disposal. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite if they are overcharged, crushed, or damaged. When they catch fire, they can release toxic gases and create a difficult-to-extinguish blaze. Josh Fischer, a deputy commissioner with Fire Rescue Victoria, highlighted the risks posed by these fires, especially in areas like apartments and garbage trucks. Recent incidents have occurred in several Melbourne council areas. For instance, the Whitehorse City Council reported two fires within a week, including one on March 13. In Glen Eira, a recycling truck caught fire after a lithium-ion battery from a vacuum cleaner was thrown away incorrectly. The City of Maribyrnong also reported a fire in February that damaged one of its garbage trucks. Daniel Freer from the City of Boroondara Council noted an increase in these fires, which not only endanger workers but also incur costly damages. Fischer explained that batteries can combust when they are improperly discarded in garbage loads. Last year, a battery explosion forced the evacuation of a student housing building, and a battery from a pool cleaner destroyed a home. The waste and recycling sector in Australia faces between 10,000 and 12,000 fires annually related to lithium batteries. Gayle Sloan, head of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association, stressed the urgent need for better ways to dispose of battery-powered products. She called on the Victorian government to create stricter regulations similar to those proposed in New South Wales that would hold suppliers accountable for their products' disposal. The Victorian government stated that residents can safely dispose of batteries at over 1,000 locations, such as Bunnings and Coles stores. A ban on e-waste in landfills has been in place since 2019, which prevents disposal of items with batteries or plugs in household waste.