Warning issued over disposal of batteries

Published Friday, 28th February 2025

Residents are being urged not to put old batteries and electrical devices in their bins following an incident in which a refuse wagon almost caught fire.

Shortly after starting bin collections, the crew noticed smoke coming from the back of the wagon.

They immediately diverted to Hartlepool Borough Council’s waste transfer station in Burn Road to safely unload their waste and discovered a smouldering car battery.

When batteries are disposed of in household bins they can generate a spark, and also they sometimes get crushed or punctured in a bin wagon, releasing chemicals which can ignite upon contact with moisture.

Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “Had a fire caught hold, it could have had very serious consequences for the crew of the refuse wagon and members of the public in the vicinity. Fortunately, in this case a fire was averted thanks to the quick thinking of our team, but it is important that we all take steps to ensure our waste is disposed of appropriately.

“Batteries and electrical devices of any sort should not be placed in your green or grey bins but instead they should be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre in Burn Road where there are separate containers for household batteries, car batteries and vapes. Alternatively, household batteries and vapes can be disposed of in local supermarkets.”