UK households should not throw out 1 item or risk starting bin fire expert warns

UK households should not throw out 1 item or risk starting bin fire expert warns People may not realise how dangerous the situation could quickly become As households begin autumn clear-outs now that the weather is changing, UK homeowners may throw out items they might not realise could cause major problems. Waste collection experts are reminding people that incorrectly disposing of certain items could pose a serious fire risk long after they've been thrown away. Households are being warned never to throw battery-powered items, including disposable vapes, lithium-ion batteries, or other battery-powered devices, into their household bins. Waste experts say everyday items remain among the biggest causes of bin and waste-collection fires. Lithium-ion batteries can become damaged or crushed during waste collection and processing. If this happens, they can overheat and ignite, putting refuse workers, recycling centres and waste facilities at risk. James Ward, waste specialist at Wheeldon Brothers, said: "Many people don't realise that something as small as a battery can cause a serious fire once it enters the waste stream. When rubbish is collected and compacted inside a refuse vehicle, batteries can become crushed or punctured. If that happens, they can generate enough heat to start a fire in a matter of seconds. "It's not just loose batteries that cause problems. Everyday items such as disposable vapes, rechargeable toothbrushes, power banks, toys and even greeting cards that play music all contain batteries and should never be placed in your household bin. "Unfortunately, these fires are becoming increasingly common across the waste industry and can put collection crews, recycling workers and the public at unnecessary risk. If an item contains a battery, the safest option is to remove it where possible and take it to a dedicated battery recycling point or your local household recycling centre." Waste industry experts say some of the most commonly binned items that can contain lithium-ion batteries include: - disposable vapes - rechargeable toothbrushes - electric razors - power banks - wireless headphones - children's toys - portable speakers Many supermarkets, electrical retailers and household recycling centres now provide dedicated battery recycling points. Ward says this can help residents to dispose of batteries safely rather than placing them in general waste. Ward added: "Battery recycling has become much easier over recent years, with collection points available in many supermarkets and high street retailers. Taking a few extra minutes to dispose of batteries correctly can help prevent dangerous fires, protect waste workers and ensure valuable materials are recovered and recycled instead of being lost in a landfill. "If you're ever unsure whether something contains a battery, it's always worth checking before throwing it away. That small decision could help prevent a potentially serious incident."