During a kerbside collection run a couple of weeks ago, a fire started in the back of the mixed recycling collection truck. The potential cause of the fire has been identified as a lithium battery. This is a timely reminder that batteries are hazardous waste that cannot be placed in any of your kerbside wheelie bins.
You can recycle your batteries at recycling stations at New World Waimate and the Resource Recovery Park (RRP). Batteries accepted are;
- Alkaline, Drycell & Zinc batteries (flashlights, radios, remote controls, smoke detectors, LED penlights, etc)
- Li-ion batteries (laptops, cameras, cellphones, tools, etc)
- Button Cell batteries (watches, hearing aids, calculators, bathroom scales, games, toys, electronic jewellery, key fobs, musical greeting cards)
- Other – (NiCd, NiMH, gel cell, Cr123 camera batteries)
- Car batteries are accepted at no cost at the RRP.
While transporting the batteries to one of the battery recycling stations, we suggest you place them in a non-flammable container (e.g. glass, metal or ceramic) to minimise fire risk.
For more information on battery recycling, please see the Rubbish and Recycling section of the Waimate District Council website.
