Yesterday afternoon, a fire broke out in one of our refuse trucks in Sheffield. The cause of the blaze was likely to the improper disposal of hazardous materials, such as electronic waste and batteries. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident but this incident did result in major damage to one of our vehicles. However, this serves as a reminder of the critical importance of safe disposal practices when it comes to hazardous waste.
Why Proper Disposal Matters: When hazardous materials such as electronics, batteries, and other waste containing lithium-ion batteries are disposed of improperly, they pose serious risks. These materials are not only dangerous to waste collection workers but also to the environment and public safety. Fire hazards, chemical leaks, and pollution can result from careless disposal.
What You Can Do to Help:
- Never dispose of electronics or batteries in your general waste bin. Items like phones, laptops, household batteries and disposable vapes can be harmful when collected and compacted in refuse trucks or incinerated with regular waste.
- Remove batteries from electrical items before discarding them. This simple step can prevent unexpected fires and dangerous chemical reactions.
- Take your batteries to a designated recycling point or collection center. Many local authorities and retail stores provide free recycling services for used batteries.
- Check product labeling to identify hidden lithium-ion batteries. Items such as vapes, electric toothbrushes, and small electronics may contain hidden lithium batteries. Ensure these are disposed of properly to avoid hazards.
Together, We Can Make a Difference: By being mindful of how you dispose of batteries, electronics, and other hazardous materials, we can work together to reduce the risk of dangerous fires and environmental damage. Proper disposal not only ensures safety but also contributes to a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
Darren Powell, Managing Director – “I want to highlight the serious risks posed by the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries, following a vehicle fire in Leeds yesterday, which is thought to have been caused by these items. This serves as a strong reminder of the importance of safe recycling to protect people, vehicles, and the environment.
At Lili Waste, we are committed to raising awareness and providing practical solutions to help prevent these hazards. Please remember to dispose of batteries responsibly—many local recycling centres and retailers offer safe collection points.”
