The Growing Danger of Lithium Batteries in Our Trash

A serious problem is growing at recycling centers and in waste trucks across the country. According to new figures from the Environment Services Association (ESA), which represents waste management companies, fires caused by wrongly thrown-away lithium-ion batteries are now happening more than 10 times every week. These batteries, commonly found in everyday items like smartphones, children’s toys, electric toothbrushes, and especially vapes, are creating a dangerous situation for workers and the public.

Following the recent fire at a recycling center in Deptford, south-east London, experts are highlighting the scale of this crisis. The ESA reported that its members dealt with 1,518 fires in the year leading up to March 2026. Out of those, at least 541 were directly linked to lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, there were 216 fires reported inside bin lorries. The ESA noted that these numbers likely underestimate the true scale of the problem, as it is often impossible to find the exact cause of a fire once it has started. They believe that while 40% of fires are officially blamed on batteries, the real number could be as high as 70%.

The financial impact of these fires is massive. The ESA estimates that the annual cost of dealing with these incidents has jumped from £150 million in 2021 to £1 billion today. This cost includes the damage to facilities, the loss of equipment, and the expensive resources needed by fire services to put out the flames. For example, a recent fire in Ilford required 25 firefighters to bring it under control. A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade noted that these fires are very time-consuming and require a high level of resources to manage, while also causing environmental and social harm to local communities.

Dr. Francesco Restuccia, a fire expert at King’s College London, explained why these batteries are so dangerous when they reach a recycling center. He noted that there has been an exponential increase in fires because people are frequently throwing away lithium batteries in common household objects. "If they are not disposed of properly, there is a high chance of ignition," he said. When a battery is crushed in a machine or a truck, the internal parts can be pierced. This creates a short circuit, which is an electrical problem that causes the battery to heat up rapidly until it catches fire.

To demonstrate this danger, the ESA asked the Health and Safety Executive to perform a test. They punctured a vape battery while it was sitting next to paper and cardboard. The results were alarming; the vape ignited like a sparkler, reaching temperatures of over 750C. This was hot enough to set the surrounding materials on fire within minutes. This experiment serves as a clear warning about why vapes and other battery-powered items must be kept out of regular trash bins. The waste management company Biffa reported that it collected 500,000 vapes at its facilities during the summer alone, showing just how many of these devices are entering the waste stream.

In response to this growing crisis, the ESA is calling for new government action. They have proposed a £5 deposit scheme on the sale of all vapes. The idea is that if customers pay an extra fee when they buy a vape, they will be more likely to return it to a store or a proper collection point to get their money back. This would help ensure that the batteries are handled safely rather than being thrown into household bins where they can be crushed.

As fire chiefs continue to express their concern over the rise in these incidents, the message to the public is clear: batteries should never be put in regular trash or recycling bins. Whether it is a vape, a toy, or an old phone, these items require special care. Without better awareness and new policies to encourage safe disposal, the risk of fire at waste facilities will likely continue to grow, putting more lives and property in danger across the country.