Dr Joe McGirr has thrown his support behind a new battery trial at Gregadoo Waste Management Centre, which looks to safely dispose of embedded batteries. Photo: Chris Roe.
Gregadoo Waste Management Centre will operate a new trial in partnership with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), targeting the safe disposal of embedded batteries.
The trial, organised in conjunction with Wagga Wagga City Council, will make it easy for households and small businesses to safely dispose of embedded batteries, limit the number of products headed to landfill, and reduce the potential of batteries causing bin fires.
As part of the move, Gregadoo Waste Management Centre – operated by Wagga Wagga City Council – is now accepting household embedded-battery products free of charge.
The NSW EPA has listed embedded batteries as small batteries that are built into products and cannot be removed.
The independent Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr backed the trial as being in the best interest of the Wagga Wagga community.
“I welcome this NSW Government trial, which will help protect our local community, workers and environment by reducing the number of embedded-battery products that are mistakenly disposed of in yellow and red kerbside bins,” he said.
“It will empower Wagga Wagga residents with the necessary knowledge about embedded-battery products – including how to identify them, the types of risks they pose and why correct disposal is so important.”
In a statement, he said embedded batteries were often found in household items such as single-use vapes, electric toothbrushes, e-bikes, smartwatches, portable speakers and vacuums.
“The batteries are uniquely challenging for the waste management sector because they are made of materials – including lithium-ion – that are difficult to recycle and a significant fire hazard risk,” he said.
“It’s great to see the NSW Government working alongside Wagga Wagga City Council to tackle this emerging issue and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for all.”
According to Dr McGirr’s statement, there were 193 battery-related fires in NSW between 1 January and 1 August, 2024. That is an 18 per cent increase on the same period last year.
The statement adds that in 2023, the number of lithium-ion battery-related fires in NSW jumped to 285, more than double the previous year.
The Community Recycling Centre at Gregadoo is one of 21 venues across the state participating in the new EPA-led trial, with dedicated waste bins now on site to collect deposits.
More information about the trial, which runs until September 2026, can be found on the NSW EPA website here.
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