Lithium batteries spark 10,000 fires yearly in Australian waste
Australia's waste system faces 10,000 to 12,000 lithium-ion battery fires annually. Most come from discarded vapes, toys, and rechargeable tools.
Disposable vapes, toys, singing birthday cards and rechargeable tools are filling Australia's bins with a fire hazard. When lithium-ion batteries arrive at waste centres damaged, crushed or heated, they can trigger thermal runaway, a chain reaction that produces intense heat and flammable gases.
Fire Rescue Victoria attends battery fires daily across all settings. NSW Fire and Rescue responded to 86 fires at waste and recycling centres between January and mid-September this year.
This compared with 114 for all of 2025. Staff face daily risk from fires.
A heavy financial burden falls on companies that can no longer buy insurance to protect assets. Toxic air pollution from battery fires threatens the recycling effort itself.
NSW Fire Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said batteries change instantly. One moment they look safe.
The next they're spitting embers and pieces across the rubbish pile.
- 10,000 to 12,000
- Annual battery fires
- 86
- NSW fires Jan-mid Sept
- 114
- NSW fires all 2025
- ReTHiNK Waste Tasmania estimate
- Source
Why it mattersWaste workers face daily fire injuries. Recycling companies cannot get insurance. Toxic fumes from battery fires damage air quality and soil.
AustraliaAustralians who recycle or dispose of batteries will face higher waste management costs as insurers withdraw. Waste workers across the country now deal with fire risk as a routine part of the job.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 d ago
