Residents in Orbost and Mallacoota now have more opportunities to safely dispose of batteries and electronic waste, thanks to new collection points funded by the Victorian Government.
The funding, delivered through Sustainability Victoria, allows East Gippsland Shire Council to install battery and embedded
battery collection cabinets at high-traffic community facilities. Residents can now safely drop
off loose batteries, vapes, embedded batteries from toys, toothbrushes and other small rechargeable items.
The move is designed to reduce hazardous waste in landfill and lower the risk of fires caused by incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries. Fire Rescue Victoria estimates they attend one fire a day caused by rechargeable batteries, highlighting the
danger these items can pose when crushed in garbage or
recycling trucks.
Collection cabinets will be installed at key locations across the municipality, including the Orbost Service Centre and the Mallacoota Service Centre, alongside facilities in Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, Omeo and local libraries.
Research shows nearly half of Victorian households with young children place batteries in general rubbish bins, despite e-waste being banned from landfill since 2019. Improper disposal can ignite fires, leach toxic chemicals into the environment, and create large clean-up jobs for councils when fires occur in waste trucks.
“With electronic items being delivered to households over the festive period, from phones and tablets to gaming consoles and small appliances, the risk of incorrect disposal is real,” said Darren McQuade, Fire Rescue Victoria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Community Resilience.
Sustainability Victoria has also launched a campaign to raise awareness of the risks of
placing batteries and e-waste in kerbside bins.
“This campaign is about shining a light on embedded batteries in everyday items such as electric toothbrushes, vacuum cleaners, power tools, e-bikes, vapes, and portable chargers, and reminding Victorians that batteries and e-waste do not belong in kerbside bins,” chief executive officer Matt Genever said.
Residents can visit Sustainability Victoria’s website to find
an interactive map of safe disposal locations and ensure their batteries and electronics are handled responsibly.
