Fires caused by batteries in waste have increased by 71% in the UK since 2022, as the rise of disposable vaporizers and other portable battery-powered devices means more lithium-ion batteries end up in trash.
The increasing number of these devices thrown into household waste bins has caused more than 1,200 fires in the waste system in the last 12 months, up from 700 in 2022, according to research by the National Fire Chiefs Council ( NFCC). and the campaign group Recycle your electrical appliances.
Phil Clark, of the NFCC, said: “Fires linked to incorrect disposal of lithium-ion batteries are a disaster waiting to happen. “Fire services are seeing an increasing number of incidents, but they can be prevented by disposing of electrical appliances correctly and carefully.”
More and more everyday items, such as wireless headphones, laptops, electric toothbrushes and disposable vaporizers, contain lithium batteries. These batteries can be crushed or damaged in bin lorries or landfill sites if not recycled and can cause fires in bin centers and bin lorries across the UK.
When crushed or damaged, batteries can be dangerous to the public, waste operators, and firefighters, causing fires that are especially difficult to fight. They can create their own oxygen, which means they can continue to flare up and prolong incidents.
Scott Butler, CEO of Recycle Your Electricals, has asked the public to consider the consequences of separating electrical appliances and batteries, as these destructive and costly fires can be easily avoided.
He said: “With more and more products containing lithium-ion batteries and the increase in battery fires, it is vital that we stop these fires and reduce the impact of air pollution they have on our local communities and the dangers they present. for firefighters and waste officers.
“We are also wasting some of the most precious materials on the planet, which are vital to our economy. We call on everyone to ensure they never throw away and always recycle their electrical appliances and batteries. Simply search Recycle Your Electricals to find the nearest drop-off point.”