Published on Thursday, 6 March 2025 at 11:42:24 AM
A six-metre high blaze at Tamala Park waste management facility has prompted renewed pleas to the public to properly dispose of batteries.
A fire broke out in a disposal bin at Tamala Park late last year after a lithium battery was placed among general waste at the site’s transfer station.
The fire was quickly contained and isolated, but blazed for nearly an hour before it was fully extinguished. Around 40,000 litres of water and firefighting foam were required as staff from Mindarie Regional Council (MRC) worked to extinguish the flames.
The incident is the latest in a series of fires caused by improper disposal of batteries, with ten similar fires taking place at Tamala Park in 2024 alone.
Lithium batteries particularly dangerous
Lithium batteries - of the kind believed to have caused the latest fire at Tamala Park - are particularly prone to sparking violent and rapid fires due to the extreme heat they can generate. This is especially true when they are placed in household bins or among general rubbish which is easily combustible.
Lithium batteries are commonly found in electrical products, such as mobile phones, laptops, cordless vacuum cleaners, cordless power tools, power packs and electric toothbrushes. They are also found in e-cigarettes (vapes).
Aside from being a fire risk, batteries also contain toxic chemicals which can leach into the environment, poisoning waterways and ecosystems.
MRC plea for public to be vigilant
Scott Cairns, CEO of Mindarie Regional Council (MRC), which operates the Tamala Park site, asked the public to be extra vigilant about keeping batteries out of landfill.
“The majority of people visiting the site are doing the right thing, and we’re doing our best to educate people with signage and asking questions about batteries when customers come through.
“However, as this latest incident shows, it only takes one person doing the wrong thing to cause a serious incident, which can put our staff at risk.
“We’re asking the public to please be extra careful and make sure they aren’t placing any batteries into their household bins or disposing them in general rubbish at the tip.
“There are lots of places where you can recycle all kinds of batteries for free – including Tamala Park. It’s not just better for the environment, but also helps keep our staff safe on site.”
Battery collection points now even easier to access
There are more than 700 battery drop-off locations across Western Australia. Many of these are located in supermarkets, hardware stores and at council facilities. Tamala Park itself accepts many types of batteries through its free drop-off centre.
When disposed of properly, old batteries can be put to practical use – not simply to create new batteries, but by utilising the steel they contain to create a wide range of consumer products and new infrastructure.
Battery disposal a state-wide problem
The call from MRC comes follows the recent launch of a state-wide campaign by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) to encourage responsible disposal of batteries to prevent battery fires at waste management facilities.
For more information, visit wastesorted.wa.gov.au.
ENDS
This news story appeared in Perth Now on Wednesday 5 March 2025.
About MRC: Mindarie Regional Council (MRC) is one of Western Australia’s biggest waste management authorities, providing a comprehensive waste disposal service to local government authorities and residents in the Perth Metro Area.
For more information, visit mrc.wa.gov.au
Information for media: For enquiries relating to this release or any other questions from journalists regarding MRC, please contact communications@mrc.wa.gov.au or call 0417 252 227.
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