The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP) is urging residents to recycle batteries and battery‑powered electricals safely, following an increase in fires caused by incorrectly disposed lithium‑ion batteries. Recent incidents include a fire at Thalia’s Alconbury waste transfer station at New Year, as well as 13 bin lorry fires across Cambridgeshire in the last 12 months.
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.
Across the UK, over 1,200 waste‑related fires were recorded in the past year – a 71% rise since 2022, posing significant risks to crews, the public and waste‑handling facilities. Lithium‑ion batteries are especially dangerous when crushed in lorries, and even small button or toy batteries can spark fires once compacted.
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.
To help prevent fires, residents are urged never to place batteries in the bin, to use designated recycling points, tape over damaged terminals and check for local collection schemes.
Councillor Ros Hathorn, chair of the RECAP board and Chair of the Environment and Green Investment Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “It’s really important that everyone knows how to recycle their batteries the right way, to keep Cambridgeshire safer.”
“Fires caused by discarded batteries are becoming much more frequent, putting our communities and crews at risk. However, the good news is that preventing these fires is simple, and every household can play a part.
“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.”
Where to recycle batteries safely
You can take batteries and small electricals containing batteries to:
Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Full list: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/waste-and-recycling/household-recycling-centres
Supermarkets and DIY stores
(Any shop that sells batteries must also accept used batteries for recycling.)
