Battery Safety: Help Prevent Waste Collection Vehicle Fires
Residents are being urged to take extra care when disposing of batteries, vapes and electrical items following two serious fires in Glasgow City Council refuse collection vehicles during August.
News
Residents are being urged to take extra care when disposing of batteries, vapes and electrical items following two serious fires in Glasgow City Council refuse collection vehicles during August.
The incidents, which occurred on 12 August in the city centre and again on 25 August in Kelvindale, are believed to have been caused by batteries or electrical items containing lithium-ion batteries that had been placed in household general waste or recycling bins. In both cases, the fires were severe enough that waste had to be unloaded onto the street to allow the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to safely extinguish the blaze.
Thankfully, thanks to the quick actions of council staff and emergency responders, no injuries were reported. However, these incidents serve as an important reminder of the dangers associated with incorrect battery disposal.
Remember, if it contains a battery, don't bin it. Recycle it safely.
Use the drop-downs below to find out more about battery safety
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in everyday items such as mobile phones, laptops/tablets, vapes and e-cigarettes, power tools, toys, electric toothbrushes and mobility scooters/e-bikes.
When damaged, crushed, punctured or exposed to heat during waste collection and processing, these batteries can ignite and cause fires that put collection crews, recycling facility workers, emergency responders and members of the public at risk.
Disposable and rechargeable vapes contain lithium-ion batteries and must never be placed in general waste or recycling bins. When vapes are crushed during collection or processing, their batteries can become damaged and catch fire.
If you use vapes, please ensure they are taken to an appropriate recycling point or returned through retailer take-back schemes where available. Even disposable vapes contain batteries and require specialist recycling.
To help prevent future incidents:
- Never place loose batteries in household waste or recycling bins.
- Never place disposable or rechargeable vapes in any household bin.
- Remove batteries from electrical items whenever possible before disposal.
- Recycle batteries, vapes and unwanted electrical items at designated collection points.
- Use local recycling facilities and retailer take-back schemes where available.
Glasgow City Council provides a range of safe recycling options for batteries, vapes and small electrical items. To find your nearest recycling point and learn more about battery disposal, visit: www.glasgow.gov.uk/batteries
Residents should also look out for the next phase of Glasgow City Council's Take Charge Glasgow campaign, which will launch ahead of the festive period. The campaign aims to raise awareness of battery recycling and encourage safer disposal practices across the city.
By taking a few simple steps, we can all help reduce the risk of fires, protect frontline workers and keep our communities safe.