Stop battery fires before they begin
There are more than 40 battery drop off points available across the Sunshine Coast, including supermarkets, hardware stores and Council’s tips.
Did you know that tossing used batteries in your household bins can spark a fire in a rubbish truck? It only takes one battery to cause a dangerous blaze, and that’s the last thing anyone wants this festive season.
There are more than 40 battery drop off points available across the Sunshine Coast, including supermarkets, hardware stores and Council’s tips. Search Recycle Mates website to find your nearest drop off.
Batteries are found in more places you might think
You may not realise that battery-powered devices are everywhere. You can find them in vapes, tools, phones and laptops.
When these everyday items reach the end of their life, it’s important they don’t go in your kerbside bin. Batteries in waste trucks can cause fires, putting drivers, trucks, and our community at risk.
To check if your device is battery-powered, start by looking for physical signs. If you see a charging port like USB-C or micro-USBt, it probably runs on batteries. You can also look for a label on the device or in the manual that lists the battery type. Think about how the device works: if it’s portable or described as “cordless,” it most likely uses a battery. Once you have identified if your device is battery-powered, visit recyclemate.com.au to find out how to dispose of it.
Sunshine Coast Council accepts vapes, single use and rechargeable batteries at all major resource recovery centres, including Nambour, Caloundra, Buderim and Beerwah, so please take them there for safe disposal. This helps protect our community and ensures harmful materials are managed responsibly.
Get the best out of your lithium-ion battery devices
Lithium-ion batteries are a common type of battery used in rechargeable devices. They power many everyday devices such a mobile phones and laptops, but they need careful handling to stay safe. When buying, choose good-quality products that meet Australian standards. Use and charge devices properly: monitor for swelling, overheating, or leaks, check chargers and cables regularly, and only use original batteries and chargers. Always charge on non-flammable surfaces. For more information on Lithium-ion batteries visit the ACCC website.