This image reveals the truth about how Woolworths consumers use the battery and lightbulb disposal bin, as well as how deceptive the top of the bin really is. Before discussing this, it is important to note that this bin is right at the front of the store, and there is no other bin nearby. Without reading the side of the bin, it would be easy to see it as just a regular bin where one can dispose of litter and unwanted objects. As seen in the picture, the bin is filled with waste objects that are not exclusively batteries and lightbulbs. This poses a huge issue: lithium-ion batteries, which are used in cell phones, laptops and garden tools, become combustible when punctured or damaged (Blocker 2019:31). Blocker (2019:31) discussing spontaneous fires that have started due to lithium-ion batteries being disposed of with general waste materials in Spokane, Washington, states that batteries should never be disposed of with regular trash or in bins. Blocker (2019:31) further argues that old batteries, like old cell phone batteries, should be taken to a hazardous waste facility, such as The Waste Group (www.wastegroup.co.za) or to home-improvement stores that will correctly dispose of the battery.

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Perhaps if Woolworths created other disposal bins (that actually are divided inside) for glass, paper, metals and plastics, and created larger signs that distinguished between the bins, the risk for fire hazard could be diminished. However, the specific allocated bin for batteries and lightbulbs should be located in a place where staff can always assess what is being discarded inside of it. Staff need to ensure that batteries are discarded gently and separately from any type of object that can damage or puncture them, and there should always be a fire extinguisher nearby.