London Faces Surge in Waste Fires from Batteries Over 50% of London residents admit to improperly discarding old electronic items, including batteries, in regular waste or recycling bins, according to a recent survey conducted by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA).
The research, which polled 1,000 Londoners, found that 55% have encountered signs of battery damage, such as overheating, swelling, hissing sounds, unusual smells, or smoke.
Alarmingly, despite recognising these hazards, nearly a third of respondents admitted to continuing use of devices displaying such damage.
The NLWA highlighted that over the past eight months, waste facilities in North London have seen a 200% increase in fires sparked by lithium batteries, with incidents rising from six in 2022 to thirteen in 2023.
One such incident, a major fire in May at Waltham Forest’s South Access Road Reuse and Recycling Centre, required nearly five hours to contain and forced the centre’s temporary closure.
Councillor Clyde Loakes MBE, Chair of NLWA, warned that lithium battery fires present a “significant risk” to staff, facilities, and the public.
He stressed the importance of using dedicated recycling points to prevent accidental damage to batteries in regular waste streams, where they are prone to crushing and potential ignition.
““From vapes to e-scooters, we have become increasingly reliant on technology containing these rechargeable batteries, so it is particularly worrying that there is so little awareness of just how dangerous they can be if you fail to take proper precautions,” Loakes stated.
Loakes further urged the UK Government to implement enhanced producer responsibility swiftly measures to hold manufacturers accountable for promoting safer disposal practices, emphasising the critical need for increased public awareness and proper recycling options.
