An investigation into a large fire that destroyed Canberra's only recycling centre has found batteries in household waste were probably at fault.
The blaze began on Boxing Day last year, taking emergency crews a few days to contain.
The ACT government said there were about 150 tonnes of domestic recycling and waste in the building at the time of the fire.
ACT City Services Minister Chris Steel said an investigation had now revealed evidence that there were multiple batteries of varying types in the remains of the fire.
He said these batteries would have caused a "thermal runaway" which ignited the fire.
"The ACT Fire & Rescue report specifically points the finger at lithium batteries," he said.
"Lithium is found in many household batteries such as non-rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, and also in rechargeable batteries in devices like laptops, mobile phones, and cameras."
Mr Steel took the opportunity to remind Canberrans of the safety risk of putting batteries in household bins.
"This is a timely reminder to the community not to put batteries of any kind in your household recycling bin or landfill bin," he said.
"We're asking the community to please remember, 'Don't bin your batteries'.
Free battery disposal points
Mr Steel reiterated that there were a number of free battery disposal options in the ACT region, including B-cycle, a nationwide battery recycling organisation.
He said the service provided collection bins at many supermarkets and other stores across the city.
"It currently facilitates recycling of household batteries and easily removable batteries including those used in power tools and cameras with drop-off points at a range of locations in the ACT and NSW," he said.
"In addition to B-cycle drop-off points, your batteries can be dropped off for free at the hazardous waste area at the Mitchell or Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre — batteries taken to the Resource Management Centres will be recycled."
Fines of up to $800 can be handed out for the disposing of batteries incorrectly.
The ACT is also working with the NSW government to devise and disseminate a campaign to encourage residents to dispose of batteries safely and promote B-cycle to encourage the stewardship of batteries.
The government said since the recycling fire, it has had to transport around 229 tonnes per day of ACT waste into Western Sydney and Victoria, costing taxpayers $1.4 million.
Mr Steel said in a statement that the government had been liaising with the ACT Insurance Authority to recover most of the additional costs.
The ACT government had previously announced it would build a new recycling facility adjacent to the existing one, but it could be years until the ground is broken on the new location.
