Council calling on community to B-cycle

Batteries are the most common form of hazardous household waste in Australia and Townsville City Council is stepping up to help dispose of them correctly.

Council is an accredited B-cycle battery steward, with drop-off points available at all Citylibraries Townsville locations as well as the Stuart and Hervey Range Waste Transfer Stations, many shopping centres, supermarkets and various other retailers.

When disposed of in the red lid waste or yellow lid recycling bin, batteries can cause fires and puts our people and equipment in danger. When safely recycled through the B-cycle scheme, up to 95 per cent of a battery’s components can be reused as new batteries or in other industries.

Water and Resource Recovery Committee Chairperson Russ Cook said a range of removable batteries and vapes could be dropped-off for free at B-cycle drop-off points across Townsville.

“Disposing of batteries, gas bottles, flares and other combustible items through household and or commercial bins, puts our people and equipment in danger and can result in explosions and fires during transport or disposal activities,” Cr Cook.

“Around 90 per cent of Australia’s used batteries end up in landfill, where they leak toxic materials into the environment. This has lead to Council stepping in to drive awareness of B-cycling to help make a change, by keeping batteries (and their contents) out of our soils and waterways.

“Using B-cycle is great for the environment and getting used batteries out of your home means you help to protect your family, the community and the environment from toxic materials.

“I’d encourage all our residents to check out Bcycle.com.au for locations around Townsville to drop your used batteries for free.”

For more information, visit What Goes in Your Bins or B-cycle’s website.