Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) is issuing a warning to residents on the dangers of disposing of batteries (all types) and butane gas bottles in their household garbage collection service after a fire broke out at the Council’s recycling centre this week.

The intense blaze was contained to the cardboard recycling sorting chute, within the Material Recovery Facility. This facility is operated by the Elouera Association. It is believed the fire was ignited by an embedded battery in a device that was disposed of in a yellow lidded curbside collection bin.

Acting Manager Regional Services in Cootamundra, Mr Steven Lowe said batteries, devices with embedded batteries and butane gas bottles are a cause for concern and can be very dangerous if not disposed of correctly.

“Currently Elouera are pulling out an average of 20kg of batteries per week from the recycling material, and up to 30 butane bottles a week. Butane bottles should not be confused with aerosol cans. Along with batteries they should be disposed of at the Community Recycling Centre (CRC). The CRC is the facility to dispose of E Waste, televisions, and other electronic devices, along with paint, oils, fluorescent bulbs, and gas cylinders including butane gas cans.”

 “There is a real cause for concern when items are disposed of incorrectly it creates a very dangerous environment for the people who work at the facility and the last thing, we want to see is someone getting hurt,” Mr Lowe said.

Picture and caption:

 A device with an embedded battery is believed to be the source of a fire this week at the Cootamundra Material Recovery Facility. Council has issued a warning to residents that the incorrect disposal of batteries, butane gas bottles and devices with embedded batteries are dangerous and request that residents be aware and take care when disposing of such items.