Universal kerbside battery collections needed to tackle epidemic of waste fires

A coalition representing the waste management sector and local authorities have written to Defra Minister, Mary Creagh, calling for urgent policy reform to implement universal kerbside collection of batteries and waste electricals, and to ensure producers of these products pay their fair share for this vital new service

Implementing universal kerbside collections for waste batteries and electricals across the UK could save £6bn over the next decade by increasing recycling and avoiding the costs associated with waste fires.

This was the key finding of independent research conducted by expert consultancy Eunomia for the Environmental Services Association (ESA), published on:- 30 April 2025, which investigated the costs and benefits of various options for collecting small waste electrical devices and batteries at the kerbside.

Only 100 of 391 of local authorities currently offer kerbside collection for small mixed waste electric and electronic equipment, which includes devices like:- old mobile phones, electric toothbrushes, vapes, power tools and toys, but these voluntary services only cover around 23% of households in the UK, and collection methods vary significantly between participating Councils.

Because of this lack of convenient and consistent recycling options, waste electrical items, which often contain powerful batteries, are commonly (but incorrectly) discarded in the general rubbish or mixed with other recycling; where they can explode or ignite and pose a significant fire risk. It is estimated that every household, on average, incorrectly discards nearly 6kg of waste electricals each year; or 155,000 tonnes in total.

Furthermore, Material Focus reports that 1.6 billion batteries were thrown away in:- 2023/24, in the UK, or 3,000 every minute; with just over a billion of these hidden in electrical devices.

This has contributed to what recycling and waste operators are calling an:- "epidemic" of battery fires. In 2023, more than 1,200 serious battery related fires in waste facilities or vehicles were reported and the problem is rapidly growing year on year; with a 70% increase in fires between:- 2022 and 2023 alone. The total annual cost of the impacts of battery related waste fires in the UK is now estimated at more than £1billion. These costs have sky rocketed from previous estimates, owing to increased frequency of incidents and higher associated costs of the impacts (such as repairs, insurance premiums and public service impacts etc).

The risks posed by battery fires include not just the obvious risks to peoples' safety but also damage and downtime to essential infrastructure; the loss of valuable recyclable materials, and pollution to water courses and the wider environment.

In its report, Eunomia recommends that the best way to address this growing epidemic of battery fires is to implement universal kerbside collections of batteries and small waste electrical devices as part of normal Council recycling collections; making correct recycling more convenient for all householders, not just those living in Councils where collections already happen.

The report suggests that the best cost/benefit balance would be achieved by retrofitting existing refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) with external cages, where possible, to safely store batteries and small waste electricals; collecting them on existing recycling rounds. This would be supported by both national and local communications campaigns, which would be enabled and made more cost-effective by a consistent approach across the country.

If such a scheme were rolled out today, Eunomia estimates that the number of waste fires would drop correspondingly (with anticipated increased compliance levels) from:- over 700 a year to just over 100, and that the capital expenditure needed to implement the new service would equate to around just 70 pence per household.

Responsibility for this service would continue to fall to local authorities, but the relatively modest additional operational expense could be supported by producers of batteries and electrical devices under a reformed Extended Producer Responsibility regime; which UK Government consulted on in early 2024.

Chairman of the Environmental Services Association, and Chief Executive Officer of Biffa, Michael Topham, said:- "The UK is facing a growing epidemic of battery related waste fires which threatens lives, vital infrastructure and the environment. Whether discarded on their own or hidden inside electronic devices, batteries wreak havoc when they are thrown in the wrong bin, but this sadly happens all too often because of a lack of convenient recycling options for householders. Eunomia's report provides clear evidence of the huge benefits of implementing a nation-wide kerbside WEEE and battery recycling scheme; not just for preventing fires and protecting infrastructure but also realising a £6billion economic benefit while supporting a more circular economy for batteries and waste electricals. We urge Government to commit to rolling out mandatory universal kerbside recycling services for waste electricals and batteries, and to ensure all parties pay their fair share towards delivering them."

Leyla Lugal, Principal Consultant at Eunomia, adds:- "Lithium battery fires are hurting people, the economy, and the environment. With the number of electrical products on the market set to rise, this problem will get worse without intervention. The only way to implement change effectively and cost efficiently is through collective action, ensuring strong communications campaigns and widespread national engagement. Some local authorities are already undertaking safer battery collections. This research highlights the wide ranging benefits of such measures, but to drive real progress, we need policy reform as a catalyst for broader industry and consumer change."

Jon Hastings, Chair of the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO), said:- "Fires in waste collection vehicles and treatment facilities pose a risk to staff working in this critical industry, and are causing operational disruption and higher costs for local authorities. It is essential that producers are made responsible for the costs of providing more convenient collection services for batteries and small electrical items to help tackle this growing and dangerous issue, and as such NAWDO joins with the ESA in urging the Government to bring forward the proposed reforms to WEEE regulations as a matter of urgency."

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Waste at Somerset Council, said:- "Collection of batteries from the kerbside is positive for both our residents and the environment. Batteries are becoming more prominent in the things we use everyday. Introducing the collection of batteries and small electricals was a simple way to make sure the right thing was done with them. We know Somerset residents are keen to recycle, our recycling rates are in the top 10% in England and more than 100 tonnes of small batteries and electricals were collected from the kerbside last year."

James Kelly, CEO of the British Metals Recycling Association, said:- "The increase in the number of fires across the waste industry is deeply concerning. Be they caused by waste electricals and electronic equipment or orphan lithium-ion batteries, urgent action clearly needs to be taken. The best way to tackle this is by introducing a kerbside collection scheme, which would make it easier and simpler for the householder to recycle these items. However, this would need to be supported by a national communications campaign to educate householders about the dangers of the incorrect disposal of WEEE and orphan batteries."

Toni McNamara, Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) Executive Director, said:- "While there is no consensus on local authority operated collections from LARAC membership, we strongly support producer-funded battery and small WEEE collection schemes, and any initiatives focused on reducing the risk of battery fires."

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