Wiltshire Council urges safe battery disposal after fire incidents
It's asking people not to put them in the bin
Wiltshire Council is urging residents not to put batteries in any bin, after three fires occurred in the past fortnight at sites in Warminster, Stanton St Quintin and Lower Compton
Batteries or electrical items containing batteries must never be put in any bin including household bins and recycling containers at Household Recycling Centres (HRCs). When waste or recycling is collected, any batteries in the items are likely to be squashed, compacted, punctured, shredded or soaked in liquids. All these processes increase the risk of fire or explosion, which threatens the safety of waste management staff and members of the public using HRCs.
Batteries and electricals containing batteries can be easily recycled by:
using the designated battery collection point at HRCs
using the council's kerbside Battery collection service; residents can place their unwanted batteries in a sealed clear sandwich bag on top of their blue-lidded bin or beside their blue recycling sack
if residents can't safely remove a battery from a product, they should be recycled together in the designated electrical bin at a HRC or by using the kerbside Small electricals collections; people can put out electricals smaller than a shoe box beside their blue-lidded bin or recycling sack in a supermarket carrier bag on collection day
Leader of Wiltshire Council, Councillor Ian Thorn, said "Batteries, including those in vapes, pose a growing fire risk if not disposed of correctly. This has been highlighted by recent fires at our Warminster, Stanton St Quintin and Lower Compton, believed to have been caused by batteries. These incidents show how quickly fires can start in our vehicles, waste transfer stations and HRCs, putting staff at risk and disrupting vital services.
"We thank the site teams and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service for their swift response, ensuring the incidents were brought under control safely.
"Battery-related fires are increasing nationwide. By disposing of batteries correctly, residents can help protect staff, services and the community."
Group Manager Shaun Milton, from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: "When used properly, batteries aren't dangerous, but they can present a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water, or damaged. Dropping, crushing, or puncturing a lithium-ion battery can cause internal short circuits, leading to overheating and potential ignition. We urge everyone to follow the guidance about the safe disposal of batteries, so we can reduce the risk of fires at recycling centres."