Published: Monday 24 Aug 2026
Lithium-ion batteries power many everyday devices, including phones, laptops, e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools and cameras. If damaged or charged incorrectly, they can overheat and cause fires. Fire Rescue Victoria is responding to an increasing number of house and garage fires across Victoria linked to unsafe charging practices and damaged batteries.
Help reduce the risk of battery fires by:
- Using the correct charger and battery for each device
- Unplugging devices once fully charged
- Never charging devices on beds, couches or other soft surfaces
- Avoiding charging overnight or when you’re not home
- Keeping e-bikes and e-scooters away from living areas and exits
- Stopping use of batteries that are damaged, swollen or overheating
- Never putting batteries in your household rubbish or recycling bin
Keep batteries out of your bins
Batteries (including rechargeable batteries) do not belong in any household bin.
They can harm the environment and waste workers, and can even cause fires in collection trucks or at recycling facilities.
Dispose of batteries safely
Household batteries and removable rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
We can now accept removable rechargeable lithium-ion batteries at our recycling hubs, making it easier to safely dispose of unwanted household batteries.
You can drop off batteries at:
📍 Whitehorse Civic Centre
📍 Box Hill Town Hall
📍 Aqualink Box Hill
Accepted batteries include AA, AAA, C and D batteries, 6V and 9V batteries, button batteries and removable rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, such as those removed from power tools and cameras.
Embedded batteries
Items with embedded or built-in batteries (such as laptops or televisions) cannot go in any of the kerbside bins as they can start truck fires. Recycle for free at the Recycling and Waste Centre, or (select items only) at Officeworks stores. Alternatively, find other drop-off locations near you by searching the Recycle Mate app.
Car batteries
Car batteries can be dropped of at our Recycling and Waste Centre.
To find other battery drop-off locations near you, search the Recycle Mate app.
Find out how to dispose of unwanted items at Other Recycling and Disposal Options on the Whitehorse website or check the Recycle Mate app.
For more lithium-ion battery safety advice, visit Fire Rescue Victoria’s battery safety information.