Maribyrnong households are being urged to show more care when disposing of batteries and electronic waste (e-waste).
As part of the “Bin it Better” recycling education program launched by Maribyrnong council earlier this year, residents are being warned to keep used batteries and e-waste out kerbside bins to avoid contamination.
“They contain toxic metals and can overheat or become punctured, causing rubbish loads to catch fire in trucks or at the sorting facility,” said a council spokesperson.
“In recent months, there have been two fires in our trucks.”
To avoid this, council is recommending that used batteries and e-waste be disposed of at one of the electrical drop off hubs located throughout Maribyrnong at Bristow Street car park, Seddon, Donald Street car park, Footscray, Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, Maribyrnong, Hansen Reserve car park, West Footscray, Raleigh Road Activity Centre, Maribyrnong and Maribyrnong Community Centre, Maribyrnong.
Co-funded by Sustainability Victoria, the “Bin it Better” campaign seeks to empower Maribyrnong residents to place the correct items in the right bins for collection to reduce the amount of contamination in both kerbside recycling (yellow lid bins) and food and garden organics (green lid bins).
To achieve this, the campaign is running education workshops across the municipality, including at local schools such as Footscray City Primary.
Workshops focusing on organics, are now taking place across the municipality and more schools are encouraged to sign up and take part in the “Bin it Better” education sessions, which further reinforce sustainable waste management practices among students.
Schools and teachers can book free workshops for their students at: maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/bin-it-better-at-school
Cade Lucas.
