An increase in fires caused by incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries has led to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP) urging residents to ensure batteries and battery‑powered electricals are disposed of safely. Recent incidents include a fire at Thalia’s Alconbury waste transfer station, as well as 13 bin lorry fires across Cambridgeshire in the last 12 months.
Cambs County Council reports that, in 2023, more than 1.6 billion batteries were thrown away in the UK, with over 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.
‘A real issue’
Ros Hathorn, Chair of the RECAP board and County Councillor for Histon & Impington, told HI HUB: “This campaign highlights a real issue. When I talked to my family they were curious about why batteries cause fires – at which point my knowledge ran out, so I have investigated.
“Batteries contain heavy metals including lead, mercury, zinc and lithium – all of which can be recycled and used to make new batteries which is good and why recycling is so important. That said when they end up in the wrong place, batteries can cause fires which are hard to extinguish. If batteries, or electricals containing batteries, are not properly separated they can end up being crushed in the waste and recycling process. This increases the chances that they will be punctured and self-combust, setting fire to the surrounding dry and flammable waste and recycling.
“So the fire risk comes from the chemicals within the battery which when inside a carefully designed battery react with each other in a careful, controlled manner to produce electricity, but when removed from the controlled environment of the battery, by damaging the battery and introducing air can be highly flammable.
“Lithium-ion batteries are found in many of our everyday household items, such as phones, laptops and even e-cigarettes. While they are not dangerous when used properly, they can present a significant risk if they are not disposed of correctly. Furthermore batteries are also harmful to the environment if they end up in the ground so it is important to dispose of them properly”.
Safe Disposal
All types of batteries can be recycled free of charge at Household Recycling Centres, supermarkets and DIY stores. This includes loose household batteries, lithium‑ion and rechargeable batteries, and batteries found inside small electrical items.
Residents are urged to NEVER place batteries in the bin and, instead, to use designated recycling points, tape over damaged terminals and check for local collection schemes.
A full list of Household Recycling Centres across Cambs and Peterborough is available here. More information on safe disposal of batteries can also be found on the Cambridgeshire County Council website.
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