Residents across Worcestershire are being urged to “Charge into Change” and recycle electrical items, batteries and vapes safely, as Worcestershire County Council launches a new drive to tackle the growing risk of fires in bin lorries and recycling facilities.
Councillor Ian Cresswell, Cabinet Member for the Environment at Worcestershire County Council, is calling on residents to make one simple change that helps protect waste crews and vital services.
“We’re asking everyone to make one small change that has a huge impact. By recycling electricals, batteries and vapes the right way, residents help prevent dangerous fires, protect waste crews and ensure valuable materials are recovered and reused. It only takes a moment to do the right thing, but it makes a real difference to the safety of our crews, facilities and communities.”
The initiative is in response to a sharp rise in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries hidden inside everyday items.
When these batteries are thrown into household bins and crushed in bin lorries or sorting machinery, they may ignite, creating dangerous situations for staff, damaging vehicles and disrupting waste services.
The problem is increasing across the UK. According to Material Focus, the organisation behind the national “Recycle Your Electricals” programme, fires in waste vehicles and recycling facilities have risen by 71% since 2022, with more than 1,200 recorded in 2025 alone.
Many common household items contain batteries, including mobile phones, toys, power tools, chargers, kitchen gadgets and vapes. Even “empty” disposable vapes and broken devices still contain lithium-ion batteries that pose a fire risk if placed in general waste or recycling bins.
Instead, residents are encouraged to recycle these items at appropriate collection points. Small electrical items such as phones, hairdryers, chargers, toys and cables should be taken to Household Recycling Centres or returned to participating electrical retailers. Loose batteries, including AA, AAA, button batteries and rechargeable packs, are widely accepted at supermarkets, electrical retailers and Household Recycling Centres.
Disposable, rechargeable and refillable vapes should be returned through vape take-back points available in many shops or taken to Household Recycling Centres.
By recycling these items safely, residents help reduce the risk of fires, protect waste crews and ensure valuable materials are recovered.
For more information about recycling electrical items, batteries and vapes visit the Recycle Your Electricals website.
To find your nearest Household Recycling Centre visit the Let's Waste Less website.
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