Lithium-ion batteries found in mobile phones, vapes, and power packs on electric bikes or scooters have all caused fires in the back of bin lorries since January, according to Greater Cambridge Shared Waste.
When batteries are put into a wheelie bin, they can go on to get crushed or damaged in bin lorries, which can cause explosions and trigger fires.
Greater Cambridge Shared Waste, a partnership between Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District councils, is now reminding residents to ensure they dispose of batteries correctly.
Bode Esan, Head of Greater Cambridge Shared Waste, said: ‘We’re seeing an increasing number of fires in the back of our trucks, and most are caused by batteries being put into wheelie bins. The compacting process in the back of bin lorries can easily crush and split batteries – which go on to ignite or even cause an explosion.
‘Whenever a fire breaks out in the back of one of our trucks, our crews are put in danger as they must rapidly find a safe place to unload the recycling or waste to stop the fire engulfing the lorry. Any member of the public around the vehicle is of course also put at risk.’
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