Rise in Lithium-ion batteries being thrown away leads to safety warning
Since January 2026, eight fires have occurred at waste facilities in Somerset
The rise in fires related to lithium-ion batteries in Somerset has prompted officials to urge residents to dispose of such items responsibly.
Since January 2026, eight fires have occurred at waste facilities in Somerset, half of which were caused by batteries and vapes not disposed of correctly, according to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Roads at Somerset Council, joined firefighters at the Material Recycling Facility in Evercreech to highlight the risks posed to waste crews and firefighters.
Lithium-ion batteries, featured in everyday products like vapes, mobile phones, and e-bikes, can ignite suddenly if damaged or mishandled during waste processing.
Matthew Canning, SUEZ Contract Director for Somerset, said: "The safety of our teams and our communities is our highest priority. Fires caused by incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries and other hazardous items pose a serious risk to our crews, and facilities.
"Waste fires can spread quickly due to the volume and variety of materials being processed, making them difficult to access and extinguish. This creates additional risks for our teams and emergency services.
"We’re asking residents to help protect our crews by disposing of batteries and electrical items through the correct recycling routes. A simple change can make a real difference in preventing dangerous fires."
Councillor Richards Wilkins also advocated for proper disposal, adding: "Keeping our communities safe and protecting our environment go hand in hand. Fires caused by incorrectly disposed batteries can put people at risk, disrupt essential services and harm the environment.
"By working with partners including Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and SUEZ, we can raise awareness of this growing issue and encourage residents to make simple changes that protect our communities, waste crews and the environment."
Residents are advised to take steps such as using designated recycling points for batteries and vapes, recycling electrical items at local centres, and using kerbside collection services for small electrical goods.
For more information on battery and electrical item recycling, visit somerset.gov.uk/waste.