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Bettesworth Construction
battery disposal

Tamala Park Fire Prompts Call for Safe Battery Disposal

MRC’s account of a late-2024 Tamala Park fire is a reminder to keep loose batteries and battery-powered items out of household bins. Find local drop-off routes and check acceptance rules before travelling.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 3 min read

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A lithium battery placed in general waste caused a fire in a disposal bin at the Tamala Park transfer station late in 2024, according to Mindarie Regional Council (MRC). The Council’s account, published on 6 March 2025, says the blaze reached six metres, burned for nearly an hour and took around 40,000 litres of water and firefighting foam to extinguish. MRC also reported ten similar fires at Tamala Park during 2024. These are the Council’s figures, not independent measurements.

The practical lesson is straightforward: keep loose batteries and battery-powered items out of household and general waste bins. For people asking, “Where can I safely dispose of old batteries near me?”, the answer depends on the battery type, its condition and what the drop-off site accepts.

What happened at Tamala Park?

MRC said a lithium battery disposed of with general waste ignited in a bin at its Tamala Park transfer station late in 2024. In its 6 March 2025 account, the Council said the fire reached six metres and took nearly an hour to extinguish, using around 40,000 litres of water and firefighting foam. MRC said there were ten similar fires at the facility in 2024.

Scott Cairns, MRC chief executive, urged residents: “We’re asking the public to please be extra careful and make sure they aren’t placing any batteries into their household bins or disposing them in general rubbish at the tip.” Read MRC’s incident report.

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Which items should stay out of household bins?

Do not put loose batteries or battery-powered devices in the general waste or recycling bin. Some items contain batteries that are easy to overlook when clearing out a home, workshop or construction site.

  • Loose household batteries, including rechargeable types.
  • Phones, laptops and other electronics with batteries built in.
  • Cordless tools and rechargeable toothbrushes.
  • Vapes and other small battery-powered devices.

City of Joondalup guidance says loose batteries, embedded batteries, e-waste and vapes require drop-off rather than the red general waste bin. WasteSorted’s campaign puts it plainly: “Never bin a battery!” Check Joondalup’s residential bin guidance.

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Where can you take batteries near Tamala Park?

Choose a drop-off route according to the battery chemistry and the destination’s rules. WasteSorted identifies different pathways for different types; this does not mean every retailer or facility accepts every chemistry, size or battery condition. Check the local finder or contact the destination before travelling.

Battery or item Possible route identified by WasteSorted What to check
Nickel-based household batteries A local household hazardous waste facility Confirm the facility accepts that battery type and check any quantity or packaging rules.
Lithium and lithium-ion batteries Battery World, as identified in WasteSorted’s guidance Confirm the specific outlet accepts the battery’s type, size and condition.
Mobile phone batteries MobileMuster Check current collection arrangements and acceptance conditions.
Other batteries or battery-powered items Use a suitable household hazardous waste or e-waste drop-off, as appropriate Ask whether the site takes the item intact or requires batteries to be separated.

WasteSorted’s battery guidance and drop-off guidance explain the type-specific options.

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Tamala Park Recycling Centre

MRC’s Household Hazardous Waste page lists batteries among accepted items at Tamala Park Recycling Centre, 1700 Marmion Avenue, Mindarie. It lists opening hours of 8:00am to 4:45pm, seven days a week, and a free daily maximum of 20 litres or 20 kilograms for listed household hazardous waste. The program is for domestic quantities, not commercial or industrial waste. These are MRC’s published details, not independently rechecked operating conditions; confirm acceptance, limits and hours with the facility before setting out.

Check MRC’s Household Hazardous Waste information.

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How to store household batteries until drop-off

WasteSorted suggests gathering specialist household waste in separate crates or boxes and taking it to a drop-off point when convenient. A basic, separate container can help keep collected items together; keep it away from children and animals. This is a temporary collection method, not a reason to store damaged batteries at home.

  • Keep batteries out of kerbside bins and general rubbish.
  • Do not treat a swollen, hot or leaking battery as ordinary household waste; contact an appropriate facility for instructions before transporting it.
  • Check whether an embedded battery should remain in its device or be handled separately.
  • Before a trip, verify the destination accepts your battery type and condition, and check its current hours and limits.

WasteSorted’s drop-off guidance includes advice on collecting specialist household waste in separate containers.

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What construction sites and businesses should do

MRC’s Tamala Park household hazardous waste program is for domestic quantities and excludes commercial and industrial waste. A construction business should not assume it can use this household service for site-generated batteries. Arrange a suitable commercial waste or recycling route and confirm the receiving provider accepts the battery type and condition.

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