Battery warning after fire at Whakatipu Recycling Centre
A significant fire broke out last Thursday morning at Frankton's Whakatipu Recycling Centre.
Initial investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by a battery being run over by a loader pushing up material. The fire marks the second such incident in as many weeks, following a similar fire at the Victoria Flats Landfill.
The recycling and materials recovery facility, on Glenda Drive, was evacuated, with the building at risk, but the blaze was brought under control after a swift response from facility staff and emergency services.
Laura Gledhill, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Operations & Contracts Manager, says the fire serves as a stark reminder of the serious dangers associated with improper battery disposal.
“Batteries, in particular those containing lithium can easily ignite, especially when damaged," she says. "We urge everyone to make sure they recycle or safely dispose of their batteries at designated drop-off points to prevent incidents like this from happening again.
"Never throw a battery in any bin. While the source of this particular fire was unable to be confirmed, it’s highly likely that it was a battery, and that's a risk we can't afford to ignore."
Recent data also underscores the critical importance of proper battery handling and recycling.
In 2024 alone, 12 of 13 waste-related fires were likely linked to batteries, impacting the landfill, our transfer stations, recycling facilities, and the waste collection vehicles in the district.
The 2023/2024 Solid Waste Analysis for Queenstown Lakes District shows hazardous waste in kerbside collections has more than doubled since 2019. Lithium-ion batteries and vapes (e-cigarettes) are of particular concern, as they are highly flammable if damaged or improperly disposed of.
In December last year, the QLDC Solid Waste team launched the "Keep it Cool" campaign with a clear message: Never bin a battery. QLDC is again reminding residents to take a proactive approach to safe battery disposal.
Recycle household batteries for free at drop-off points like the Frankton and Wānaka Transfer Stations, or at hardware stores like Mitre 10. Keep used batteries and battery-powered devices separate from regular waste and take them to these recycling stations. For e-waste, dispose of it responsibly at your local transfer station for a small fee. Always check if an item or device contains a battery before disposing of it.
For more information on safe battery and e-waste disposal, visit A-Z Rubbish & Recycling Directory qldc.govt.nz/services/rubbish-recycling/
