By Alex Brown
The findings, analysed by Mountain Skip Hire in Peterborough come amid a sharp rise in lithium-ion battery-related fires, with over 1,330 incidents recorded across the UK in 2024. While slightly down from 1,338 in 2023, this still marks a staggering 93% increase compared to just two years earlier. Fires caused by batteries in e-bikes, e-scooters, and small electronics have become a daily concern for local authorities and waste operators.
Despite the risks, most UK households still lack proper kerbside recycling options for batteries. Only services covering around 23% of UK households currently offer kerbside battery collection. However, a handful of councils are rolling out proactive kerbside schemes to address the growing safety and environmental threat.
Since 2022 Somerset Council has had a kerbside collection scheme of small batteries and waste from electrical and electronic equipment. In 2023 Lancaster City Council launched an initiative with small, sealed tubs for kerbside pickup, and just last year West Berkshire Council launched a scheme with battery boxes placed on top of recycling bins.
Councils have seen improvements in recycling rates since adopting kerbside collection options, with Somerset alone seeing a 20% drop in general waste, reduced fires, and their recycling rate jumping to 56% in the 2023-2024 financial year.
While battery collection volumes are increasing with councils seeing improvements through schemes and initiatives, the UK has still not met its EU-mandated 45% battery recycling target. The 2024 collection rate of portable batteries stood at 41.5% by Q3, according to the Environment Agency. Encouragingly, 2025鈥檚 first quarter saw the highest-ever volume collected, with 6,715 tonnes of portable batteries retrieved nationwide, a 25% year-on-year increase.
Speaking on the findings Darren Bletchley, from Mountain Skip Hire commented:
鈥淭he rise in battery fires is alarming, but it鈥檚 also avoidable. We regularly see batteries turning up in skips and general waste, which puts our teams and facilities at risk. Most people don鈥檛 realise how dangerous lithium-ion batteries can be when they鈥檙e damaged or crushed.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 clear from the data is that councils with proper kerbside battery schemes are seeing real improvements, not just in recycling rates but in fire prevention too. There鈥檚 no reason this can鈥檛 be rolled out nationally. We need consistent collection services and better public awareness before this becomes a much bigger issue.鈥
Darren Bletchley鈥檚 top tips for reducing battery fire risk and improving recycling at home:
Tape Your Terminals
鈥淏efore recycling, tape over the terminals of used batteries to prevent short-circuiting, which can cause fires in bins or trucks.鈥
Taping terminals reduces the risk of sparks or heat buildup, which can trigger fires during collection processing.
Avoid Charging Indoors Overnight
鈥淐harging e-bikes or scooters indoors especially overnight is the most common fire trigger. Use quality chargers and don鈥檛 leave them unattended.鈥
Many battery fires happen while people are sleeping. Always charge in a well-ventilated area, on hard, non-flammable surfaces.
Use Designated Recycling Points
鈥淚f your council doesn鈥檛 offer kerbside pickup, supermarkets, electronics stores, and recycling centres often have battery drop-off bins.鈥
These points are equipped to safely handle battery waste and ensure materials are recycled responsibly.
Don鈥檛 Bin Batteries or Electronics
鈥淣ever throw batteries whether loose or inside devices in your general waste. It鈥檚 not just bad for the environment; it鈥檚 dangerous.鈥
When crushed in bins or waste trucks, batteries can spark fires or leak harmful chemicals into landfill.
Ask Your Council for Better Services
鈥淢ore public demand means more local change. Councils respond to resident feedback when prioritising kerbside schemes.鈥
Raising awareness and contacting your local authority can help expand recycling services and reduce fire risks in your area.