One item you should NEVER put in your bin as waste fires spike in UK
Experts have cautioned Brits about one item they should be careful about throwing away.
Emergency services have had to issued a warning to people to stop throwing away batteries after a spike in fires caused by the objects. People in Merseyside have seen an increase in accidental fires, caused by batteries dumped in household bins or at recycling centres.
Things have gotten so bad that the force has had to intervene. Batteries contain hazardous materials like mercury, lead and cadmium, which, if not disposed of properly, can cause fires. This happens because when they are crushed, they can puncture and release these materials, self-igniting. Instead, Brits should take every effort to remove batteries from electricals and recycle them all.
The Liverpool Echo reported that Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA), said: “Batteries are a hazard to our workers, our community and our environment. If batteries, or electricals containing batteries, end up inside bins or waste collection lorries with other materials then they are crushed in the waste and recycling process.
"This increases the chances that they could be punctured and self-combust, setting fire to dry and flammable waste and household recycling around them. We urge residents to please stop putting batteries in their waste and recycling bins, bags or boxes, and instead dispose of them safely.
Water company shows stomach-churning result of flushing wet wipes down the loo
"Remove batteries from electricals if you can and recycle the batteries and electricals separately. If you can’t remove the batteries then always recycle your electricals separately.”
According to research by Material Focus, at least 25% of the UK public admit to binning batteries and 45% of householders are unaware of the fire risk if they don’t safely dispose of batteries hidden inside electricals. An advertising campaign to promote messages about safe battery disposal is currently being run in Merseyside.
John O’Boyle, Group Manager at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS), said: “Lithium-Ion batteries are common in everyday devices and are very safe. However, if they are mechanically damaged, over-charged, incorrectly charged, wet, short-circuited, or faulty they can go into “thermal runaway” and give off a toxic vapour cloud/cause fire with the potential to cause serious harm. It is vital to dispose of batteries safely and appropriately at a designated location, such as in shops and supermarkets or at one of the 16 Household Waste Recycling Centres across the region.”
Across Merseyside there has been an increase in accidental fires attributed to these types of items and Merseyside Fire and Rescue ask you to follow the advice given by the MRWA and MFRS. Batteries are used safely by most people every day but should still be disposed of in a safe manner.
Lesley Worswick continued: “It’s easy to do the right thing. Please don’t throw them in your bin. Just take your batteries to a Recycling Centre or to a supermarket the next time you’re doing a shop. You’ll be helping to keep our community safer.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
