Wednesday 6 November 2024

SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S EMBEDDED BATTERY COLLECTION EVENT IS GOOD NEWS - BUT A PERMANENT SOLUTION IS NEEDED 

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) congratulates the South Australian Government for funding and hosting a collection event for embedded battery products on the weekend of 23-24 November 2024.

“This collection event will give the community the opportunity to drop-off items containing embedded batteries such as vapes, toys and other battery powered items, which currently have no safe disposal pathway,” WMRR Chief Executive Officer Gayle Sloan said. 

“This is a good thing as it will help reduce the danger posed by battery fires to waste and resource recovery workers, trucks and facilities.

“We thank the South Australian Government, Green Industries SA and local councils for recognising the problem and taking this action.

“This event is a good first step, but it must not be the last. There needs to be a permanent long-term solution to this crisis enveloping the WARR industry created by the fact we have no disposal pathway for embedded battery products in Australia.

“The waste and resource recovery (WARR) industry cannot stress enough the urgency in holding those that make these embedded battery products accountable for their entire lifecycle, given the clear risk they pose to the broader community and our industry.

“All WARR eyes are on the Environment Ministers Meeting in December 2024 to be sure there is decisive, funded action to address this crisis. Those that make these embedded battery products need to be accountable for taking them safely back.
 
“With fires caused by batteries occurring daily in WARR vehicles and facilities across the country, getting battery powered items out of bins is an absolute priority. The safety of WARR workers and infrastructure is being put at risk by this incorrect disposal because batteries are incredibly incendiary when crushed. 

“WMRR calls on as many South Australians as possible to get out and take advantage of these drop offs and not use our bins. By demonstrating demand for these days, hopefully we will get more.

“In the meantime, as we approach Christmas, do not forget that it is always best where possible to buy products with batteries that can be removed. These separated batteries can go to B-cycle drop off points that are already operating. 

“NSW has 21 Community Recycling Centres already taking these items and with SA now taking action, the obvious question is what are all the other states doing to protect WARR services and workers?”  Ms Sloan said.