Batteries cause seven fires at waste plant in just two weeks

It is appealing to people to be more careful in how they dispose of batteries.

The private company deals with thousands of tonnes of waste from businesses and households each year, including skips and one-tonne bags.

Director Faye Grime said the problem had been getting steadily worse over the last two years, as batteries become more common in everyday household items.

‘Thanks to the quick action of our fire marshal and trained staff, recent battery fire incidents were quickly spotted and extinguished with specialist extinguishers before they could spread,’ she said.

‘Everyone needs to realise lithium-ion batteries can rapidly ignite and can cause very serious fires.

‘We have robust systems in place to protect our staff and business, but we need the help of our customers, the Guernsey community.

‘The improper disposal of batteries can lead to catastrophic fires, endangering lives and causing severe environmental damage.’

Mrs Grime said there had been a particular problem with batteries in power tools, especially drills, but there had also been issues with vacuum cleaners and bluetooth speakers.

‘Easter is a particularly busy time for us with households using the bank holidays to clear out sheds and lofts,’ she said.

‘People may not be aware that these things they are throwing away have batteries in them. Even a battery in a discarded smart watch can start a fire when it is being processed.

‘These batteries are in items as small as calculators, fire alarms and car keys.’

The National Fire Chiefs Council said that over 1.1 billion electrical items containing hidden lithium-ion batteries were thrown away in the UK last year, causing more than 1,200 fires in bin lorries and at waste sites.

As recently as March, firefighters struggled to control a blaze at a recycling plant at Braintree in Essex where 35 tonnes of rubbish were ignited by a discarded lithium battery.

Island Waste issues fines of £500 to customers who do not follow its strict waste acceptance criteria and said it has had to issue more this year.

‘We don’t want to fine people but we are seeing more and more incidents and will have to increase fines if we continue to get items with batteries in them put in our mixed waste skips, bags or tonne bags,’ she said.

She asked for islanders to stop and think and give each discarded item a ‘battery test’.

She said any items with a power button, with a charging port or screen, or with a crossed wheelie bin symbol, cannot be disposed of in mixed waste.

The company is happy to provide a separate bin or bag for electrical items, Mrs Grime said.

‘The simple rule is – if in doubt, keep it out,’ she said.

‘Do not assume the item does not have a battery – please for everyone’s safety – use caution at all times.’

More information can be found at www.islandwaste.gg/batteries.