Hartlepool Refuse Wagon 'Almost Catches Fire' Due to Incorrect Battery Disposal...
- teessidetoday
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
Smouldering Car Battery believed to have been the cause of a potentially lethal fire which had to be extinguished at the councils waste transfer yard...
28th Feb 2025
Residents are being urged to take extra care when disposing of old batteries and electrical devices after a Hartlepool Borough Council refuse wagon reportedly' narrowly avoided a fire' due to a smouldering car battery.
The alarming incident occurred shortly after a bin collection round had begun, with crew members noticing smoke rising from the back of the vehicle before, acting swiftly, to divert back to Hartlepool Borough Council’s waste transfer station on Burn Road, where its claimed upon unloading, they discovered the car battery smouldering among the waste.
This close call is said to highlight the hidden dangers of incorrectly disposing of batteries. When placed in household bins, where batteries disposed of in General Waste can generate sparks if crushed or punctured during collection, releasing chemicals which then ignite when exposed to moisture.
Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, issued a stark warning: “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.”
To prevent such hazardous incidents, residents are being reminded that batteries and electrical devices should never be placed in green or grey bins. Instead, they should be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Burn Road, where dedicated containers are available for household batteries, car batteries, and vapes. Additionally, many local supermarkets provide designated battery disposal points for household batteries and vapes, making it easier for residents to dispose of them responsibly.
The Dangers of Battery Disposal in Bins
Many people underestimate the risks associated with tossing batteries into their household waste. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in mobile phones, laptops, and vapes, are particularly dangerous when damaged, as they can cause thermal runaway – a reaction that leads to overheating and fire.
The rise in waste-related fires due to battery disposal is becoming a nationwide problem, where its claimed in recent years, fire services across the UK have reported a significant increase in blazes at waste processing facilities, often traced back to incorrectly discarded batteries. These incidents not only pose serious risks to refuse workers but can also cause significant environmental damage and financial costs to local councils.
How to Safely Dispose of Batteries in Hartlepool
To keep the community safe and prevent dangerous waste fires, residents are being told to follow these simple guidelines:
Household Batteries (AA, AAA, button cells, etc.) – Take them to local supermarkets or the Burn Road Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Car Batteries – Dispose of them at the Burn Road Recycling Centre
Vapes & E-Cigarettes – Drop them off at designated supermarket collection points or the Burn Road Recycling Centre.
Electrical Devices with Built-in Batteries – These should also be taken to the Recycling Centre instead of being placed in bins.
The recent incident is said to serve as a crucial reminder that all local residents have a role to play in keeping our refuse collection teams and the wider community safe. By taking a few extra minutes to dispose of batteries correctly, we can help prevent dangerous situations like this from happening in the future.
