FCC Environment is reminding residents across Wigan Borough to take extra care when disposing of batteries, vapes and disposable BBQs, as warmer weather increases the risk of fires at recycling centres.
Items containing batteries – including lithium batteries hidden inside vapes, small electricals and toys – are one of the leading causes of fires within waste and recycling facilities. When crushed or damaged, these batteries can ignite, putting staff, visitors and recycling operations at risk.
As spring turns to summer, FCC Environment is also reminding residents not to place disposable BBQs in household bins or recycling, particularly if they have not fully cooled. Hot embers can remain trapped inside long after use and can easily spark fires when mixed with other waste.
FCC Environment is urging residents to:
Remove batteries from items where possible
Dispose of batteries and vapes separately using designated battery recycling points
Never place batteries, vapes or electricals in black bags
Allow disposable BBQs to cool completely before taking them to recycling centres and always follow site guidance
Placing batteries or vapes loose inside bags makes them much harder to spot and significantly increases the risk of ignition when waste is compacted or processed.
Contract Manager Tracy Roe of FCC Environment said:
“Many of the fires we see are entirely preventable. By taking a few extra moments to sort batteries, vapes and electrical items correctly, residents can help keep recycling centres safe and protect the people working there every day.”
Helen Dennis, Assistant Director, Environmental Services and Operational Development, said: “It is always important to recycle correctly, and particularly with electricals and batteries that risk causing fires and putting our waste crews in danger.
“Please take the time to read our recycling guidelines which will keep our crews safe, improve our recycling rates, and help the environment.”
FCC Environment works closely with Wigan Council to manage waste and recycling safely and efficiently. Residents can find information on how and where to dispose of batteries, vapes and other hazardous items via the Council’s new recycling A-Z Guide where residents can search how to properly recycle many items. https://lnkd.in/eg97ZbAc or by speaking to staff on site.
