The council is launching a campaign to remind the public not to discard batteries in recycling or black bags, after a bin lorry caught fire.

Fortunately, the crew was able to extinguish the blaze before it set fire to the lorry or caused further damage. The fire brigade was also called out.

While it’s not known exactly what caused the blaze the crews suspect a discarded battery is to blame.

Every year over 1200 fires are caused nationally by hidden and loose batteries being thrown in with general rubbish and recycling. 

As well as loose batteries, many are hidden inside everyday electricals, like kids’ toys, alarm clocks, vapes and electric toothbrushes.

When we throw hidden or loose batteries in with our general rubbish or recycling, they can get crushed or punctured in the bin lorries. This releases chemicals which come into contact with the air and can start a serious fire.

Battery fires are particularly dangerous as the lithium in them releases its own oxygen. This intensifies the fire and makes it more difficult to extinguish.

Sadly, nearly half of UK adults are unaware this can lead to fires. As well as endangering lives, the fires can cause air pollution spikes, disrupt bin collection rounds and cause damage to lorries which can be expensive to repair.

While many of us are already recycling, over 1.6 billion electricals with hidden batteries were thrown away last year. That’s over 3,000 binned batteries a minute!

Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be reused or recycled - including the plugs, batteries and cables themselves.

If possible, remove batteries from your electricals and recycle them separately. If you’re unable to remove the batteries safely, recycle the whole electrical at your nearest electrical recycling point.

Search Recycle Your Electricals to find all your local electrical and battery drop off points.

Or use Recycle Your Electricals postcode locator to find your local battery and electrical recycling point.