For immediate release
8 September 2021

On Wednesday 1 September, a council garbage truck was damaged and the driver was lucky to avoid injury after a load waste load caught fire. While the incident is still being investigated, the likely cause is due to the incorrect disposal of hazardous waste, such as batteries, by householders.

Council urges residents to be careful about what they put in their waste and recycling bins.

Batteries should never be put in waste and recycling bins, whether they are the standard batteries found in torches and toys or those found in laptops, mobile phones and power tools. Commonly used lithium batteries will ignite waste and recycling in a truck and have been responsible for a number of recent fires.

In addition to batteries, electrical items, gas bottles, fuel cans, flares, butane canisters, paint, chemicals and products labelled ‘corrosive’, ‘toxic’, ‘flammable’ or ‘oxidising agent’ should never be placed in waste and recycling bins.

Strathfield Council provides several opportunities for the disposal of hazardous waste, including e-waste recycling hubs, battery drop-off points, and our upcoming annual Chemical Clean-Out Event, in November.

Council’s CEO, Henry Wong said he was relieved that no-one was injured, “it was only through the quick actions of the driver and NSW Fire and Rescue that the fire was safely extinguished.”

This is the second fire in Strathfield Council garbage truck this year, reminding us of the dangers of disposing hazardous chemicals and batteries incorrectly in our waste and recycling bins.

Residents are encouraged to dispose of batteries and other hazardous waste responsibly. Further information about our services and information on correct waste disposal are available on the following Council webpage www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au/live/waste/waste-matters/ or by contacting Council’s Waste Education team on (02) 9748 9999.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:
Naomi Searle
Strathfield Council
9748 9992
naomi.searle@strathfield.nsw.gov.au