Safety warning: keep batteries out of your bin

16 April 2025

Imagine being responsible for a bin – or waste truck - catching fire! If you put batteries or other harmful items in your bin, this is a real risk.

Just last month there was a fire in a Tweed waste truck which was probably caused by a butane canister being thrown into a home bin.

Council’s Resource Recovery Unit Manager Rodney Dawson said the fire put workers and the community at risk.

“The fire forced the load to be dumped and extinguished by the fire brigade,” Mr Dawson said.

“It could have been avoided – that item could’ve been dropped off at the tip for free.”

Batteries, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, paint and other dangerous items should never go in household bins. They can be taken to the Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre free of charge.

“Don’t let your rubbish bin start a fire. Take your batteries and other hazardous waste to the tip instead.”

To see a full list of what you can drop off safely, visit: tweed.nsw.gov.au/tip-resource-recovery.