Calls to recycle responsibly after fire breaks out in bin lorry

Wychavon District Council is urging residents to dispose of batteries in the correct way.

This comes after a fire started in a bin lorry while collecting in Larkspur Drive in Evesham earlier this year.

The crew then tipped the load onto the street as firefighters tackled the flames.

It is believed that the fire was caused by batteries being mixed in with rubbish.

Cllr Emma Stokes, executive board member for resident and customer services on Wychavon District Council, said: “The incident in Evesham earlier this year showed there is a very real risk to our crews from batteries being put into waste and recycling bins.

“Please do your bit to protect our crews and the environment by disposing of your batteries correctly. If possible, choose rechargeable batteries as a more sustainable option.”

Firefighters had to battle the flames on Larkspur Drive (Image: Newsquest)

Across the UK, it is estimated that 189 million batteries will be used to power various devices over the festive period.

Around a quarter of UK households admit to throwing batteries in either their waste or recycling bins.

Wychavon has reminded residents that batteries should never go in waste or recycling.

As highlighted by the previous incident, batteries can leak harmful fluids when crushed or can spark, causing a fire.

Rubbish was tipped onto the streets after a fire broke out in the bin lorry (Image: Newsquest)

How to dispose of batteries:

• Household batteries, including button batteries from watches, can be taken to battery recycling points in supermarkets and other shops where large quantities of batteries are sold.
• Household batteries can be placed in a bag on top of your black bin and these will be put in a cage underneath the collection vehicle by crews and taken for recycling.
• Household batteries, mobile phone batteries and car batteries can be taken to Household Recycling Centres.
• If a battery cannot be removed, then the whole item should be recycled at a Household Recycling Centre or if it is a small electrical item, put it on top of your black bin and our crews will take it for recycling.