Did you know that crushed batteries cause hundreds of fires every year in recycling centres and recycling lorries? So it’s really important we take care of disposing of batteries and recycle our batteries responsibly. This year has been incidents of fires in Ealing waste trucks and waste sorting centres around the Ealing.
The trucks have to empty their contents to stop the whole truck going on fire. This is because we are not disposing of batteries responsibly. At waste sorting centres they have to stop the lines. This leads to delays and rubbish starts to pile up.
It is scary stuff! Especially when you consider there are batteries hidden in lots of common household electrical. Items like as kids toys, alarm clocks, vapes and electric toothbrushes all contain batteries. All have hidden batteries, sometimes called zombie batteries – can cause a fire if they’re crushed in a lorry.
Disposing of batteries Responsibly
This hoard of Zombie Batteries are causing chaos in waste management and recycling facilities, causing explosions and fires which can endanger lives. The only way to prevent fires like this and keep crews safe is to never put electricals in the bin or in your regular recycling. Recycle them separately instead.
Drop off your electricals in one of the many places around Ealing and so they will be recycled safely. Visit Recycle your electricals for more information.
Research conducted by Recycle Your Electricals amongst local authorities across the UK has identified that over 600 fires in waste trucks and sites are caused by batteries that haven’t been removed from electricals.
Any rechargeable item, including your old electric toothbrush has a battery hidden within. Always recycle these separately from your other household waste and recycling.
Help protect our Ealing waste workers by never throwing electricals in the bin. Always consider Reuse first and if it cant be repaired, please recycle.
Small electrical items
There is lots of options to recycle your small electrical items:
- Recycling Centres: Book an appointment and take your items to the local Greenford or Abbey Road recycling centre or any recycling centre in West London Waste Authority
- Free doorstep collection: Book a free collection through TRAID who collects clothes and allows a small bag of small electricals with each collection. Visit TRAID free home collections for more information.
- Acton Market: Traid also has a monthly collection at Acton Market Reduce and Recycle collection.
- Doorstep bulky waste collection: If you have large items that you want to get rid of, you can arrange a bulky waste collection available to Ealing residents is £48.00 for a collection of up to 8 bulky items from outside your property.
Lets make Ealing Green
Take look at ActforEaling 10 steps for a greener Ealing and subscribe for our weekly ActForEaling email.
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