Community members have been reminded of the dangers of disposing of batteries and other prohibited items in their household bins after an Alpine Shire Council recycling collection truck caught on fire recently.
The rear of the truck caught on fire after completing its route on Monday, 29 December 2025. Whilst the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, Council wants to remind residents of the importance of disposing of waste items correctly to avoid these kinds of incidents.
Council's Director Assets, Sarah Buckley said items such as batteries, flammable liquids, lighters, vapes or aerosols containing chemicals, should never be disposed of in any of the three kerbside collection bins.
"These items can easily become sources of ignition, especially when compressed by the mechanisms inside our waste collection trucks," Ms Buckley said.
"Fires in collection trucks put our truck drivers and the public at risk and also have the potential to start bush fires, causing significant harm to our natural environment.
"The run-off from extinguishing these types of fires can also introduce pollutants into the surrounding environment."
Items with embedded batteries are also more common than you’d think. If a device lights up, makes a sound, moves, or needs charging, it has a hidden battery.
Even if something doesn’t work anymore, the battery inside can still hold power or cause a chemical reaction that causes ignition and can be dangerous if it’s not disposed of safely.
Common items with embedded batteries include:
- Bluetooth speakers and headphones
- electric toothbrushes
- e-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards
- flashing and light up toys
- personal care devices (e.g. shavers)
- powerpacks and portable charging devices
- remote controlled and ride-on toys
- vacuum cleaners (e.g. cordless hand-held and robotic)
- vapes
- wearable devices such as smartwatches, trackers and medical aids.
- power tools.
Check your home for e-waste and don’t throw it in your bins. Drop e-waste off at a collection point to protect your community and the environment.
Flammable and combustible items can be disposed of and recycled safely at Council's transfer stations in Mount Beauty, Myrtleford and Porepunkah. You can find more information regarding locations, opening hours and accepted items here: Transfer Stations | Alpine Shire Council