Keep your batteries out of your bins

Published on 11 December 2025

December is here, and the time when many people receive new gadgets and electronics. But as old batteries and devices are thrown away, there is a higher risk of dangerous fires.

The City of Whittlesea is reminding residents that it is illegal to dispose of batteries and electronic waste (e-waste) in any kerbside bins in Victoria.

From light-up toys to electronic toothbrushes, headphones to power tools, many everyday items have embedded batteries inside. A simple way to identify if it has a battery is to ask, does it light up, make a sound, move or need charging? If yes, then it contains a battery, and it should never go in any kerbside bin. Some batteries are built into the device, making them easy to overlook. But once crushed inside a collection truck or sorting facility, they can spark, ignite and burn within seconds.

In the past 12 months, the City of Whittlesea recorded three incidents involving batteries that caused a fire inside waste collection vehicles. Each incident puts our staff and the community at risk.

It’s not just about fire danger. When batteries or e-waste end up in landfill, they can leak toxic chemicals into soil and groundwater harming the environment.

But small acts like dropping off your batteries and e-waste for recycling, make a big difference to community safety and the environment.

Residents are encouraged to drop off used household, computer and car batteries for free at a designated battery collection facility or designated bin. To find the right place for your used battery or e-waste head to the A–Z Waste and Recycling Guide on the City of Whittlesea website.

How to safely prepare household batteries for recycling:

• don’t put batteries into any kerbside bin
• search ‘batteries’ in Council’s A-Z Waste and Recycling Guide to find drop off locations.
• if storing used batteries temporarily, keep them in a cool, dry place, away from flammable materials, in a flameproof container (such as a glass jar)
• if possible, tape battery terminals (especially lithium and button batteries) with clear sticky tape.
• always store out of reach of children and pets.

Quote attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Lawrie Cox: 

“It’s important to stay vigilant about battery safety. It only takes a single battery to spark a dangerous fire. Fires put our staff, the community and critical infrastructure at risk. Recycling your old batteries properly is a small action that makes a big difference. It protects our environment and keeps our community safe.”

“If it lights up, makes a sound or moves, it has a battery and it never belongs in your kerbside bin. This is a timely reminder as families unwrap new toys and gadgets over the holiday season, as we know many of these items need batteries to keep the fun going. But once the batteries run out, they should never be put in your household bin.”