Waste Management New Zealand managing director Evan Maehl said the fires are placing drivers, site teams and emergency responders at real risk. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Waste Management New Zealand managing director Evan Maehl said the fires are placing drivers, site teams and emergency responders at real risk. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Battery-related fires are burning a hole in ratepayers’ pockets – and sparking concerns for the safety of rubbish truck drivers and recycling facility workers.
Lithium-based batteries, commonly found in things like laptops, vapes and kids’ toys, can ignite when crushed inside a rubbish truck or at a transfer station.
Auckland Council has recorded at least 35 battery-related fires across its rubbish trucks and recycling facilities since the start of last year.
That includes five so far this year, including one recently in Lynfield, where the truck had to dump its burning load on to the street.
Meanwhile, Christchurch City Council has recorded 40 battery-related fires across its trucks and facilities in the last 12 months.
Waste Management New Zealand managing director Evan Maehl said the fires are placing drivers, site teams and emergency responders at real risk. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Auckland Council estimates each rubbish truck fire costs around $5000.
Auckland Council waste management specialist Lyndon Collie said the rubbish truck fires are dangerous for the drivers, as they produce toxic fumes.
He says there has also been at least one case of a truck catching fire on the motorway.
“It can be quite scary for them, if you’re driving a vehicle on fire, it’s not a great experience for anyone and it can affect them greatly.”
Waste Management New Zealand managing director Evan Maehl said the fires are placing drivers, site teams and emergency responders at real risk.
“No one should be exposed to preventable hazards simply for doing their job.”
Zero Waste Aotearoa Advocate Sue Coutts said insurance premiums are skyrocketing for waste management companies due to the risk of battery fires. Photo / Auckland Council
Zero Waste Aotearoa advocate Sue Coutts said insurance premiums are skyrocketing for waste management companies because of the risk of battery fires.
“It’s pushing up the cost for everyone to operate.”
Coutts said there are currently no obligations for battery manufacturers, battery importers and businesses selling products containing batteries to deal with the damage it causes.
WasteMinz chief executive Nic Quilty said this is just going to continue to become a bigger issue, with more products containing batteries.
“Our survey told us on average households have 73 batteries that they are aware of. Now, that’s only the ones they are aware of.”
She added WasteMinz is currently working with the Ministry for the Environment on a research project into small battery management for industry and the Government.
Recommendations from the report are expected within the next month.
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says electronic waste presents real challenges for New Zealand. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally and presents real challenges for New Zealand.
“The improper disposal of e-waste can result in valuable materials being lost and harmful substances entering the environment.”
She says she’s receiving advice on the wider waste work programme, including product stewardship schemes for priority products.
“We are taking a measured and practical approach to ensure that any regulatory changes are workable, that infrastructure and accredited recycling pathways are in place, and that industry has time to adapt.”
Lachlan Rennie is an Auckland-based multimedia Journalist for Newstalk ZB covering science, defence, technology, community issues and general news. He previously studied journalism at the New Zealand Broadcasting School before joining NZME in 2024.
