Published on: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Image: Keep batteries out of bins
From toys and toothbrushes to power tools and birthday cards that sing, batteries are built into more products than ever before. If these items end up in your household bin, the batteries inside can become damaged during collection or processing and catch fire.
Between April 2019 and August 2026, the City of Swan recorded 25 waste truck fires linked to batteries or battery-powered items. These incidents have become more frequent over the past two years, with 10 recorded in 2026 alone, including two on August 13.
These fires put waste collection crews, emergency responders and the wider community at risk. They can also damage collection vehicles and disrupt waste services, with a fire-damaged truck often out of action for months.
The tricky part is batteries aren’t always obvious.
Your wireless headphones, bathroom scales, remote controls, digital thermometers and tea lights may all contain batteries. So can children's toys such as drones, remote-controlled cars, talking dolls and some science kits. Even if an item no longer works, the battery inside can still pose a risk.
Lithium batteries are particularly dangerous when crushed or punctured. They can overheat quickly, ignite, and in some cases, reignite days after the initial fire.
To help keep the community safe, you can drop off small, loose household batteries at the City’s Administration Centre, 2 Midland Square, Midland, City of Swan libraries, or participating Bunnings, Aldi, Coles and Woolworths stores. Before dropping them off, place clear sticky tape over the terminals and check which battery types are accepted before you visit.
For products with sealed batteries, keep them intact and out of battery collection bins. Call (08) 9267 9267 to check whether our recycling centres in Malaga or Bullsbrook will accept them.
Between April 2019 and August 2026, the City of Swan recorded 25 waste truck fires linked to batteries or battery-powered items. These incidents have become more frequent over the past two years, with 10 recorded in 2026 alone, including two on August 13.
These fires put waste collection crews, emergency responders and the wider community at risk. They can also damage collection vehicles and disrupt waste services, with a fire-damaged truck often out of action for months.
The tricky part is batteries aren’t always obvious.
Your wireless headphones, bathroom scales, remote controls, digital thermometers and tea lights may all contain batteries. So can children's toys such as drones, remote-controlled cars, talking dolls and some science kits. Even if an item no longer works, the battery inside can still pose a risk.
Lithium batteries are particularly dangerous when crushed or punctured. They can overheat quickly, ignite, and in some cases, reignite days after the initial fire.
To help keep the community safe, you can drop off small, loose household batteries at the City’s Administration Centre, 2 Midland Square, Midland, City of Swan libraries, or participating Bunnings, Aldi, Coles and Woolworths stores. Before dropping them off, place clear sticky tape over the terminals and check which battery types are accepted before you visit.
For products with sealed batteries, keep them intact and out of battery collection bins. Call (08) 9267 9267 to check whether our recycling centres in Malaga or Bullsbrook will accept them.