Campaspe Shire Council is encouraging residents to recycle batteries and electronic waste safely following a recent waste truck fire in Echuca.
The incident is a timely reminder that batteries and battery-powered devices should never be placed in any of their kerbside bins, where they can create serious fire risks during collection, transport and processing.
To help residents dispose of these items safely, Council has installed six new battery collection points and two e-waste recycling hubs, upgraded MobileMuster drop-off points, and improved e-waste drop-off areas and signage at all eight Resource Recovery Centres across the shire.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell said the expanded network gives residents more convenient options to recycle potentially hazardous items.
"Recent events have highlighted how important it is that batteries are disposed of correctly.
"These new collection points make it easier for residents to do the right thing while helping protect waste collection staff, emergency services personnel and the wider community from preventable fires.
"Old batteries can now be dropped off at all Council Service Centres and Libraries in Echuca, Kyabram, Rochester, Rushworth and Tongala.
"New e-waste hubs at Kyabram and Echuca Libraries also accept smaller electronics, such as cords, chargers, powerboards, remote controls, calculators, shavers and computer accessories.
"Please remember to tape the ends of batteries before dropping them off. Larger items, or anything with a built-in battery such as tablets, power banks, electric toothbrushes or wireless headphones, should be taken to a Resource Recovery Centre for safe disposal and recycling.
"These new collection points make it easier for residents to recycle safely while helping reduce fire risks in landfills and our kerbside waste services," Cr Mackrell said.
Following a series of waste truck fires in recent years, Council successfully secured partial funding for the collection points through a Victorian Government grant that supported local councils to establish or upgrade battery and e-waste drop-off points and promote safe disposal locations.
Council's Director Infrastructure and Environment, Kate Lemon, said the new drop-off points were an important step in reducing the safety risks caused by batteries and e-waste being incorrectly placed in kerbside bins.
"Every battery kept out of a kerbside bin helps prevent a serious safety risk. When batteries ignite in waste trucks, drivers have to act quickly to protect themselves and the community, services are delayed, and burning rubbish can produce hazardous chemical smoke.
"In these cases, the entire load becomes contaminated, meaning recyclable materials can no longer be recovered and are instead sent to landfill.
"That's why these new e-waste drop-off points are so important - they give residents a simple, accessible and safe way to dispose of batteries and small electronic items before they become a hazard in our kerbside waste system," Ms Lemon said.
Residents can find their nearest drop-off point for any item through Recycle Mate, which can be found on Council's waste webpages, on the Recycle Mate website, or by downloading the Recycle Mate app for iOS or Android .
