ESA Calls for Mandatory Kerbside Battery Waste Collection

Introduction

The increasing number of fires caused by improperly disposed batteries and small waste electrical items presents significant risks to waste management operations, public safety, and the habitat. Transport operators, drivers, and compliance professionals need to be aware of the latest research and policy proposals aimed at reducing these incidents and improving recycling rates.

Current Challenges and Fire Risks

Research by autonomous consultants Eunomia and the Environmental Services Association (ESA) estimates that a mandatory, producer-funded worldwide kerbside collection scheme for portable batteries and waste electricals could reduce waste fires from over 1,200 incidents annually to just over 100. Currently, only around 25% of these items are collected voluntarily by local authorities through various methods.

The National Fire Chiefs Council reports that lithium-ion batteries, which constitute a large proportion of discarded batteries, are responsible for nearly half of battery-related fires in refuse collection vehicles and waste facilities. These fires have increased by 71% year on year, with the associated costs to the UK rising from £150 million in 2021 to over £1 billion annually. Such fires can destroy critical infrastructure, endanger workers, and cause environmental pollution through the release of hazardous chemicals.

Policy Proposals and Industry Response

The ESA is urging the government to implement a mandatory universal kerbside collection regime for batteries and small electrical items across England. This would involve retrofitting existing collection vehicles with external containers to safely store these items during recycling rounds. The scheme would be funded by producers under revised producer responsibility regulations.

While the waste sector has invested in fire detection and suppression systems, these measures address the symptoms rather than the root cause. The ESA emphasises that policy reform, combined with increased consumer education and engagement, is essential to prevent fires and improve recycling outcomes.

Case Studies and Consumer Awareness

The ESA’s policy briefing, The Growing Fire Risk from Batteries Hidden in our Waste, includes case studies illustrating the severity of battery-related fires. One example is a fire at a Materials Recycling Facility in Aberdeen, suspected to have been caused by lithium-ion batteries mixed with other recycling materials. The fire required 100 firefighters and three days to extinguish, entirely destroying the facility and causing a three-year operational delay.

Another case involved a fire at a Waste Transfer Station in Herne Hill, south London, which burned for four days and forced some residents to temporarily evacuate due to health risks.

The briefing also highlights consumer awareness campaigns such as Material Focus’s Recycle Your Electricals And the ESA’s Take Charge Campaign, which educate the public on safe disposal practices and the dangers of ‘zombie batteries’—batteries hidden in waste that pose fire risks.

Practical Advice from Mi Compliance

Transport operators and drivers should remain vigilant when handling waste containing batteries and small electrical items. Ensuring that these materials are segregated and stored safely during collection can reduce fire risks. Operators should also stay informed about upcoming regulatory changes and support initiatives promoting producer-funded kerbside collection schemes.

For further guidance on compliance and best practices in waste transport and handling, contact Mi Compliance.

Contact Mi Compliance

Source: https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2025/10/16/implement-mandatory-universal-kerbside-collections-waste-batteries-minimise-costly-fires