A Battery Caused One of Our Bin Lorries to Catch Fire
Today, one of our waste collection vehicles caught fire after a battery was incorrectly disposed of in general waste. Thankfully, thanks to the quick actions of our driver and the incredible response from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, nobody was injured.
However, the incident will leave our business facing thousands of pounds worth of damage, vehicle downtime and disruption to our waste collection operations.
Whilst we’re incredibly grateful that everyone involved is safe, this incident serves as a stark reminder of just how dangerous incorrectly disposed batteries can be.
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue for their rapid response and professionalism.
Their crews arrived quickly, brought the situation under control safely and helped prevent what could have become a much more serious incident.
We are extremely grateful for everything they did today.
Why Do Batteries Catch Fire in Bin Lorries?
Many people don’t realise that modern batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries store a huge amount of energy. When they’re thrown into general waste, they often end up being crushed inside waste collection vehicles or compactors. Once damaged, a lithium battery can enter what’s known as thermal runaway, where the battery rapidly overheats, ignites and can reach temperatures of several hundred degrees in seconds.
Inside a refuse vehicle packed with paper, cardboard, plastics and other combustible materials, a single battery can quickly develop into a serious fire.
The Growing Problem Across the UK
Today’s incident is far from an isolated case. According to Material Focus and the National Fire Chiefs Council, more than 1,200 fires were caused by batteries in UK bin lorries and waste sites in a single year, that’s an increase of 71% compared with 2022. Research also found that:
🔋 1.6 billion batteries were thrown away in the UK in one year.
⚠️ That’s over 3,000 batteries every minute.
📱 More than 1.1 billion electrical items containing hidden lithium-ion batteries were disposed of incorrectly.
🚒 94% of local authorities surveyed said battery fires in the waste stream are becoming an increasing challenge.
These figures highlight just how important it is for everyone, households and businesses alike, to recycle batteries correctly rather than placing them in general waste.
Common Items That Contain Lithium Batteries
Many everyday products contain rechargeable batteries that should never be placed in general waste, including:
- Disposable vapes
- Mobile phones
- Power banks
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Smart watches
- Wireless headphones
- Electric toothbrushes
- Rechargeable AA and AAA batteries
- Children’s electronic toys
- Cameras
- E-bike and e-scooter batteries
- Cordless power tools
If you’re unsure whether an item contains a battery, it’s always safest to assume it does and dispose of it correctly. If you are ever unsure whether an item is safe to throw away in your general waste bin, skip or container, please do not hesitate to contact our team for advice.
The Cost Goes Far Beyond the Vehicle
When people hear about a bin lorry fire, it’s easy to think the only consequence is damage to the vehicle. Unfortunately, the reality is much greater. Incidents like this can result in:
- Thousands of pounds in repair costs
- Lost operational time
- Missed collections
- Increased costs for businesses
- Environmental damage
- Serious risks to drivers and members of the public
- Potential fires spreading to nearby properties or vehicles
Most importantly, lives can be put at risk. Today’s incident ended without injury, but that isn’t always the outcome. Industry insurers have reported individual battery fire insurance claims reaching up to £20 million, demonstrating the enormous financial impact these incidents can have on businesses and waste operators.
How to Dispose of Batteries Correctly
Batteries should never be placed in your household wheelie bin, commercial general waste bins or skips. Instead, they should be recycled through dedicated battery collection points. You can usually recycle batteries at:
- Supermarkets
- Household Waste Recycling Centres
- Electrical retailers
- Local authority recycling facilities
- Dedicated battery recycling schemes
If a battery is damaged or swollen, extra care should be taken when transporting it. Follow your local authority’s guidance on safe disposal.
Businesses Have a Responsibility Too
Incorrect battery disposal isn’t just a household issue. Businesses regularly generate battery waste from tools, handheld scanners, laptops, warehouse equipment, emergency lighting, telecommunications equipment and countless other devices.
Having the correct waste management procedures in place helps protect employees, waste collection crews and the wider community. If your business produces battery waste, speak with your waste provider about the safest disposal options.
A Reminder That One Small Item Can Have Huge Consequences
Today’s fire was caused by something small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Yet the consequences could have been devastating.
We’re incredibly relieved that everyone involved is safe, but we hope sharing our experience helps prevent the same thing happening elsewhere. If this article encourages even one person to recycle their batteries correctly, then sharing our story has been worthwhile.
Need Advice on Waste Disposal?
At KCM, we provide waste management and recycling solutions for businesses across the UK, helping organisations dispose of waste safely, responsibly and in line with current legislation. If you’re unsure how to dispose of batteries or other hazardous waste correctly, our team is here to help.
You can contact our team today on 0800 772 0948 or email info@kcmwaste.com.
Please Help Us Spread Awareness
One battery. That’s all it took to put one of our vehicles out of action, cause thousands of pounds worth of damage and create a potentially life-threatening situation. Thankfully, thanks to the professionalism of our driver and the swift response from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, everyone walked away safely. But next time, another waste operator, another firefighter or another member of the public may not be as fortunate.
Before throwing anything away, ask yourself one simple question… does it contain a battery? If the answer is yes, recycle it correctly.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with friends, family or colleagues. Together, we can help reduce the number of battery-related fires and keep our communities, waste collection crews and emergency services safe.
Published Friday 24th July 2026.