Nottingham bin lorry fires caused by improperly disposed batteries escalate risk

Nottinghamshire fire and council authorities are warning residents about the fire risks posed by incorrectly disposing of batteries, disposable vapes, and electrical items, following a series of fires in waste collection vehicles. Several incidents, including a recent fire caused by a rechargeable power bank wrongly placed in a household recycling bin, have led to bin lorries dumping loads to prevent further damage. Lithium-ion batteries, common in many rechargeable devices like e-scooters and power banks, can combust when crushed and mixed with flammable materials during collection, causing fires inside vehicles carrying up to 15 tonnes of waste. Fire crews and waste collection teams have responded to multiple such events this year, highlighting the increasing dangers and disruptions caused by improper disposal. Residents are urged to never place electrical items or batteries in household bins but instead use designated recycling points or household waste recycling centers to safely discard these items. These measures aim to prevent fires, protect emergency crews, and reduce environmental and community harm.