Cambridge locals urged not to bin batteries after 7 bin lorry fires
New posters are being rolled out on refuse lorries highlighting the dangers of improperly disposing of batteries and electronic items
Residents across Cambridgeshire are being urged not to dispose of batteries and electrical gadgets in their general waste, following an increase in fires linked to these items. The new awareness campaign features posters on refuse collection lorries to remind residents about the risks associated with improper disposal.
Fires at bin lorries and recycling centres have become more frequent as the disposal of electronic items containing batteries rises.
In the Greater Cambridge area alone, seven such fires have been reported in 2024. Hidden batteries within these items can ignite dangerous fires when they are crushed during waste processing.
"Hidden batteries inside electricals can spark dangerous fires when crushed in bin lorries and recycling centres," said Group Commander Rob Olivier, head of Community Fire Safety at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. "A damaged battery can lead to ignition of the highly reactive lithium, leading to a fire starting."
In response to the growing problem, Greater Cambridge Shared Waste, a service managed by South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council, has launched a campaign featuring Hypnocat, a character from the national ‘Recycle Your Electricals’ initiative.
Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment at Cambridge City Council, stated: “Hypnocat is part of the national ‘Recycle Your Electricals’ campaign and is a fun influential character helping us to get residents’ attention and shine a spotlight on the important message to keep batteries and electronic or electrical items out of bins.”
Research from Recycle Your Electricals reveals that over 1.1 billion electrical items and nearly 450 million loose batteries were disposed of incorrectly in the past year. On average, UK adults admitted to throwing away 24 batteries, including 15 electrical items with batteries and 9 loose batteries.
Natalie Warren-Green, Lead Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Licensing at South Cambridgeshire District Council, emphasised: “Batteries, vapes and small electrical items like phones, toys or hairdryers can be recycled at various local collection points including shops, recycling banks and larger Recycling Centres. In addition, homes with their own bins in South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City can recycle small household batteries by leaving them in a small, sealed bag on top of any of their wheelie bin lids.”
Further data from Recycle Your Electricals highlights that battery fires have reached an all-time high, with over 1,200 incidents in the last year, a 71% increase from 2022. Over 6 billion batteries were discarded, including more than 1.1 billion electrical items containing lithium-ion batteries. The National Fire Chiefs Council has warned that “fires involving lithium-ion batteries are a disaster waiting to happen.”
Scott Butler, Executive Director of Recycle Your Electricals, said: “With more and more products containing lithium-ion batteries, and battery fires on the rise, it’s vital that we stop these fires and reduce the air pollution impact that they have on our local communities and the dangers they present to fire fighters and waste officers. We are also throwing away some of the most precious materials on the planet which are vital to our economy. We are calling on everyone to make sure that they never bin and always recycle their electricals and their batteries.”
Residents are encouraged to visit recycleyourelectricals.org to find local collection points for the safe disposal of batteries and electrical goods.