Battery-powered gadgets spark thousands of fires in Australian waste facilities

Around ten to twelve thousand battery-induced fires erupt each year in Australian waste and recycling streams, according to ReTHiNK Waste Tasmania. Items like disposable vapes, singing birthday cards and rechargeable power tools are the main culprits, with lithium-ion cells igniting instantly and producing intense flames that can spread through piles of plastic and cardboard. Fire Rescue Victoria and Fire and Rescue NSW recorded hundreds of calls this year, including 86 incidents in NSW alone, while the Western Australian fire department logged dozens of facility fires.

Companies such as Veolia, Visy and Cleanaway report lost sites, costly damage and an inability to secure insurance, prompting investments in monitoring cameras and fire-suppression equipment. Officials explain that crushing and heat in trucks and compactors trigger thermal runaway, releasing toxic gases that harm air, soil and waterways. Industry representatives are urging other states to adopt NSW’s product-stewardship model, though illegal vapes remain outside the scheme.