Collected vapes

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) welcomes today’s announcement by South Australian (SA) Environment Minister, the Hon. Lucy Hood MP, confirming that four Household Hazardous Waste Depots will now accept products containing embedded batteries, including vapes.

The expanded service at North Plympton, Heathfield, Campbelltown and Edinburgh North (NAWMA) builds on existing B-cycle collections for loose batteries and has been made possible through SA Government funding — an investment the waste and resource recovery (WARR) industry strongly supports and appreciates.

“A recent audit of waste trucks in Queensland found batteries or battery-powered products in 96 out of every 100 trucks — effectively creating fires on wheels. That is an unacceptable risk to place on drivers, emergency responders and the wider community,” said Gayle Sloan, CEO of WMRR.

Battery Fire – Waste Collection Vehicle

Battery-related fires are one of the most serious and escalating risks facing the WARR industry, threatening workers, vehicles and facilities. This risk was again highlighted by a significant battery fire incident in the Adelaide CBD at the end of November.

The rapid growth of lithium-ion batteries — driven by decarbonisation and consumer convenience — has seen batteries embedded into an ever-expanding range of household products – from phones, laptops and toys through to personal care items like electric toothbrushes and shavers, as well as vapes. Too often, consumers are unaware these products contain batteries at all.

Critically, end-of-life management systems have not kept pace with this growth.

“At present, Australia relies largely on the voluntary B-cycle scheme, which only accepts loose separate batteries. There remains no national solution for products with embedded batteries, so simply telling people to ‘never bin a battery’ is not enough unless governments and industry provide clear, accessible alternatives,” Ms Sloan said.

SA is the second state after NSW to offer a practical disposal solution for embedded battery products. However, WMRR cautions that government-funded, interim measures cannot be the long-term answer.

“What’s urgently needed is the adoption in SA of the product stewardship legislation agreed by environment ministers back in December 2024,” Ms Sloan said.

“A mandatory product stewardship scheme would ensure manufacturers are responsible for designing and managing their products through to end of life, rather than shifting the risk and cost onto councils, the WARR industry and the community.”

As the Christmas period approaches, WMRR urges households and businesses to remain vigilant and do their part to protect our essential workers by keeping batteries out of waste trucks and WARR facilities by:

• Never placing batteries — or products containing batteries — in household bins (including fairy lights).
• Using designated drop-off points for safe disposal. SA residents are encouraged to utilise the new expanded service at the four depots.
• When purchasing gifts, choosing products with removable batteries wherever possible.

WMRR wishes everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.

ABOUT WMRR

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) is the national peak body representing Australia’s $21 billion waste and resource recovery (WARR) industry. With more than 2,350 members from over 400 entities nationwide, we represent the breadth and depth of the sector, including representation from business organisations, the three (3) tiers of government, universities, and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), including research bodies.

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