Public urged to recycle batteries to prevent fires

A local authority has urged the public to recycle batteries and small electrical goods after an increase in bin lorry fires and a blaze at a waste transfer site.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP) said "incorrectly disposed lithium ion-batteries" were the cause.

As well as the New Year's Eve fire at the waste transfer site in Alconbury, there had been 13 bin lorry fires in Cambridgeshire in the past 12 months.

Ros Hathorn, chair of the RECAP board, said: "Fires caused by discarded batteries are becoming much more frequent, putting our communities and crews at risk."

RECAP said all types of batteries can be recycled at household recycling centres, supermarkets and DIY stores.

"By remembering to always take your used batteries to a local recycling point, and never putting them in the bin, you're helping to keep everyone safe, as well as reducing disruption to our services," said Hathorn, who is also chair of the environment and green investment committee at Cambridgeshire County Council.

Lithium-ion batteries are especially dangerous when crushed in lorries, and even small button or toy batteries can spark fires once compacted.

More than 1.6 billion batteries were thrown away in the UK in 2022, according to RECAP.

This included 1.1 billion hidden inside everyday household items such as phones, tablets, e-cigarettes, toothbrushes and power tools.

When these items end up in general waste or mixed recycling, batteries can ignite or explode during collection, transport or sorting.

Since 2022, there had been a 71% increase in waste-related fires, with 1,200 in the past year alone..

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