Latest news with #batterydisposal
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Warning after battery fire damages bin lorry
Fire crews have warned people to dispose of rechargeable batteries carefully after a fire badly damaged a bin lorry in Nottinghamshire. The alarm was raised at about 11:30 BST on Tuesday when smoke was seen coming from the vehicle as it passed through Rufford. Firefighters from Edwinstowe and Warsop, with additional support from Newark and Blidworth, responded, but the lorry suffered severe damage. This prompted station manager Charlotte Weatherall-Smith to warn that putting lithium-ion batteries in domestic waste bins posed "a real danger to the public". There are no reports of any injuries to the bin lorry team. Ms Weatherall-Smith said: "Incidents like this highlight the serious risks associated with disposing of lithium-ion batteries. "These batteries, which can be found in smartphones, laptops, vapes and e-scooters, can ignite when damaged, posing a real danger to the public. "We urge people to check with their local council or recycling centre for safe battery disposable options. "By disposing of batteries responsibly, we can help prevent future incidents from happening." Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Recycling blaze prompts battery disposal warning E-bike battery fires 'tearing through homes' - charity Crews called as dumped batteries 'explode' in fire Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
The Independent
02-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Charity warns of disposable vapes ‘ticking time bomb' following ban
A 'ticking time bomb' of disposable vapes is set to enter the waste system this week, risking widespread fires because of the incorrect disposal of the devices' batteries, a charity has warned. Electrical Safety First urged vapers not to 'bin the battery' following the ban on the sale of disposable or single-use vapes from June 1. A survey for the charity found almost three in five vapers (58%) plan on throwing their old vapes into their household's general waste or recycling bin, prompting fears of fires in refuse trucks and waste centres. This is despite 71% of vapers admitting that they are aware that improper disposal of vapes can cause fires. Disposable vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, which if damaged can create explosive and highly toxic fires that are almost impossible to put out – a process known as thermal runaway. However, the incorrect disposal of these vapes in the general waste system can cause bigger issues. When general rubbish or recycling is collected, vapes are often crushed, compacted, punctured or soaked in liquids. This can cause the batteries within them to overheat or ignite, leading to fires that put workers at risk, risking millions of pounds worth of damage and disruption to waste services. Even if they do not start a fire, damaged batteries release harmful chemicals and materials that can damage the environment if not recycled responsibly. Many vape retailers offer take-back services for disposable vapes. Some councils also have recycling points at household recycling centres. Consumers can check their local council's website to find out if this is available in their area. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: 'This week we anticipate many disposable vapes will come to the end of their life following the ban. 'With reports of vapers having stockpiled these devices there is a risk that a large number of them could end up in the waste system if they are thrown out incorrectly in the household bin. 'These devices contain lithium-ion batteries that can explode or catch fire if damaged or crushed if they make their way into bin lorries, creating a ticking time bomb that puts refuse workers and communities at serious risk. 'The safest option is to recycle them properly. You can recycle them through retail take-back schemes or at a local recycling centre that has dedicated facilities.' The crackdown on the sale of the devices now makes it illegal for any retailer – ranging from corner shops to supermarkets – to sell them. The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. It follows the soaring use of disposable vapes in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish from the discarding of the devices. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending. Censuswide surveyed 1,003 UK adults who own a disposable vape between May 22-27.
Daily Telegraph
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Telegraph
Gold Coast Council bin warning after rubbish trucks catch fire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Environment. Followed categories will be added to My News. A major Australian city has put residents on notice after seven garbage trucks caught fire in less than a month. Gold Coast City Council said batteries in bins were to blame for the blazes, which broke out after rubbish was loaded into the truck and compacted. 'Batteries do NOT belong in your bin. When crushed, they can spark, explode and start dangerous fires,' the council said in a post to Facebook. Wild images of one blaze show a massive pile of flaming trash dumped in a car park, with firefighters drenching the mess in a bid to extinguish the fire. Another image shows a stack of batteries badly burned and melted together. The Gold Coast has seen seven bin fires in May alone. Picture: Facebook The local council has said batteries are to blame for the blazes, and urged residents to dispose of the common item properly. Picture: Facebook The fires result in entire loads of garbage having to be dumped on the road. Picture: Facebook The Council also shared an image of a large burn mark on a garbage truck, with the sticker on the side of the vehicle melting away. Queensland Fire Department Superintendent Mark Halverson told ABC even dead batteries posed a huge risk. 'Even if a battery appears to be flat, there's almost always some amount of energy that remains within it,' he said. 'When that energy becomes exposed, there's obviously a lot of other combustibles in the truck and plenty of oxygen, so a very good opportunity for a fire to commence.' The Queensland government has committed millions in funding to help address the growing issue. Picture: Facebook In February, the Queensland state government announced $2 million to fund a 'bin blaze ban', noting battery fires had more than doubled since 2020. The funding would help increase access to battery disposal collection points, reducing fire risks to protect workers and essential waste services and educate residents about the risks of incorrectly disposed of batteries. 'Battery fires have more than doubled over the past five years, an unacceptable upward trend that simply must end,' Environment Minister Andrew Powell said at the time. People looking to dispose of their batteries are encouraged to use a special drop off point, which can be located at Originally published as City's rubbish trucks catch fire seven times in one month as residents warned
CNA
13-05-2025
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - How should you dispose of your PMD batteries?
CNA938 Rewind The police are investigating an incident involving a suspicious-looking bag with wires found in Queenstown early Sunday morning (11 May). Security checks established that the item in the bag was a battery from a personal mobility device. Daniel Martin and Justine Moss speak with William Lin, Director of Maximal SG, about proper PMD battery disposal.
