Council
29 March, 2024
January tip fires sparks warning
CORANGAMITE Shire Council is warning about possible serious injury, death, and the potential for millions of dollars in damage if e-waste, batteries and flares continue to be thrown in general rubbish.
Corangamite Shire staff have repeatedly been called on to fight fires at the Corangamite Landfill started by incorrect disposal of material.
Council waste and environmental sustainability co-ordinator Sofia Myers said staff were at their wits’ end”.
“There was one day in January when three fires started from municipal waste disposed of at the landfill,” she said.
“The fires were caused by one flare, and two batteries.
“We’ve never seen this many fires in one day.
“If that had happened on an extreme fire day, the consequences could have been disastrous.”
Ms Myers congratulated the landfill team for repeatedly stepping up.
“Our team is well trained in dealing with small emergencies, but they shouldn’t be put in potential danger because of their job,” she said.
“We have outstanding operators who have great skill on heavy machinery.
“Recently we had two fires in the waste caused only by inappropriate appliances put into the waste bins.
“Another was caused by an e-scooter with the battery igniting when compacted.”
Ms Myers said council needed members of the public to help keep their staff and residents around landfills safe.
“We would like to remind the public that no one should ever place hazardous items like old flares or lithium, household, and lead acid batteries or jump starters into their wheelie bins or skips,” she said.
“They can start a fire in the waste truck or a landfill when crushed with a compactor.
“Batteries and flares burn at high temperatures for a long time which can set fire to waste and create serious land, air and water pollution.
“Expensive landfill liners, leachate and gas collection systems can also be damaged, allowing more pollution to escape and disrupt essential services.”
Ms Myers encouraged residents to separate out their e-waste, including batteries, and dispose of them free of charge at the landfill or their nearest transfer station.
She also encouraged boaters to invest in an electronic LED distress beacon instead of pyrotechnic flares.
“There are plenty of products available now that are just as effective, don’t expire and can be safely disposed of in e-waste,” Ms Myers said.
“Anyone with a flare that needs to be disposed of should call their local police station for advice.”