Dispose of your vapes and batteries safely
Vape and battery fires are a growing problem
Borough residents are being urged to dispose of their vapes and batteries safely.
Vape and battery fires are a growing problem in the UK, caused by the lithium-ion batteries contained in the devices that can overheat or explode if they’re damaged, improperly charged, or disposed of incorrectly.
In July in Eastleigh, a fire in a refuse truck was blamed by firefighters on incorrectly disposed of batteries.
A national campaign to make the public more aware of disposing of vapes and vaping batteries is set to be launched this month (December) in the run up to Christmas.
Most fires occur when vapes, often containing damaged batteries, are thrown into general waste, leading to fires in bin lorries and recycling centres.
To prevent fires, users should only use the charger and battery that came with their device, avoid charging near flammable materials or in extreme temperatures, protect devices from physical damage, and never dispose of vapes in general household waste.
Vape and battery fires in bin lorries and at waste sites in the UK have reached an all time high.
Lithium-ion batteries are hidden inside many everyday household electricals, from laptops, mobile phones and tablets, to electric toothbrushes, vapes and earpods.
These batteries can become crushed or damaged in bin lorries or waste sites if they aren’t recycled and can lead to fires at waste centres and in bin lorries across the UK.
Instead, please take them to your local Household Recycling Centre or return them to the retail outlet where they were purchased.