Discarded batteries, particularly from vapes and electrical goods, are increasingly igniting fires in waste collection and recycling sites across the UK, leading a union leader to warn of a "major disaster" if the trend continues. The issue has prompted urgent calls for the public to avoid throwing such items into household waste.
"This is a disaster and I'm actually surprised that no one's been killed because of this," said the union boss, who highlighted the danger posed by lithium batteries found in many electronic devices. He stressed the need for increased public awareness campaigns and more accessible disposal bins specifically for these items. "We probably need more disposable vape bins across the street, we need to keep putting adverts out there and campaigning on a daily basis to remind folk when they are disposing things about the damage they can cause."
The problem is not isolated to one region, with incidents reported at recycling centers and within bin lorries. "This is a UK-wide thing as well. We've seen it, particularly in refuse, we've seen some of the recycling sites that have gone up in flames because of vapes and lithium batteries."
Glasgow City Council has experienced a notable number of such incidents. The council reported two fires in bin lorries this year alone, following seven incidents in the previous year. In response to these events, council staff are trained to follow specific procedures upon detecting a fire. A spokesperson confirmed that in the event of a fire, staff are instructed to unload the waste immediately. This rapid response has, to date, ensured the safety of personnel and minimized damage to vehicles. The unloaded waste is then cleared promptly.
The union leader's warning underscores the critical need for public education on the proper disposal of batteries and electronic waste to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of waste management workers and the public.