General News
16 August, 2025
Recycle batteries, don’t bin them
The Horsham Rural City Council is urging residents to recycle batteries following a fire last month safely.
On July 31, the truck driver noticed smoke coming from the truck during a routine rubbish collection round.
The driver promptly moved the truck to the outskirts of town, where the contents were dumped safely on the side of the road.
The Horsham CFA attended rapidly to extinguish the blaze.
Thankfully, the driver was unharmed, and the truck sustained only minor cosmetic damage.
It is understood that the fire was sparked by a lithium battery incorrectly placed in general waste.
Mayor Ian Ross thanked emergency services and praised the driver's quick response.
"When a fire breaks out in a garbage truck, it puts people in danger— including drivers, emergency responders and the broader community," he said.
"Safe disposal of batteries is one small thing that we can all be doing to reduce the risk of these types of fires."
In the past year, Horsham residents recycled more than a tonne of batteries and about 70 tonnes of e-waste through Council collection points.
Lithium-ion batteries are a growing fire hazard in household waste streams.
Since these batteries can ignite when crushed, such as during compaction in trucks, they pose serious risks to waste management staff.
These fires are difficult to extinguish, can reignite, and release toxic gases.
The council encouraged community members to avoid placing any battery - AA, C, D, 9V or rechargeable lithium batteries in household garbage or recycling bins.
Recycle through designated collection points at the Horsham Transfer Station (Kenny Road, Haven), Civic Centre (Roberts Avenue) or Horsham Library (McLachlan Street).
To further reduce fire risk, tape over battery terminals before recycling so contacts can't spark when coming into contact with metal.
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