Clean Ireland Recycling, the largest waste management operator in the Mid-West, has launched a public awareness campaign after a rise in fires caused by batteries, vapes and electronic items being discarded in household wheelie bins, skips and public street bins.
Items such as vapes, power banks, cordless power tools, e-bikes, and e-scooters are increasingly appearing in municipal waste streams and are now the leading cause of fires in the waste management industry.
Clean Ireland Recycling says it has experienced several fires in its collection trucks and damage at one of its depots.
The new Christmas STAR (Stop Think And Recycle) campaign highlights the urgent need for action and comes ahead of the festive and New Year period, when households typically dispose of old electronics and batteries while also bringing new ones into the home.
A dedicated resource, responsiblerecycling.ie, has also been launched to provide guidance on locations for safely recycling batteries and electronic equipment.
Managing Director of Clean Ireland Recycling, Brian Lyons said the sharp increase in batteries, vapes and electronics is creating serious safety risks.
He said the improper disposal of these items “puts lives, property, the environment and businesses at risk”.
Mr Lyons urged the public not to dispose of batteries, vapes or electronic devices in household or public bins, but to bring them to designated WEEE/battery collection points.
He said many people do not realise how easily fires can start.
“A fire can begin when a battery is compacted or pierced in a bin lorry. If the casing cracks it can short-circuit, producing intense heat and sudden flames. Inside one of our trucks it can spread in seconds,” Mr. Lyons explained.
He continued, “It only takes one vape or power bank to trigger a serious incident. We have had fires start while trucks were on the road, forcing crews to stop, isolate the fire and in conjunction with fire services, unload burning material to save the vehicle. There are far too many reports from around the country of waste transfer stations and recycling facilities experiencing fires caused by batteries and other electronics.”
Mr Lyons said preventing fires “starts with proper disposal” and that using the correct facilities helps protect homes, vehicles and recycling infrastructure.
The public can contact their local recycling centre or visit responsiblerecycling.ie for advice on safely disposing of batteries and electronic waste.
Brian Lyons of Clean Ireland Recycling pictured with one of the many electronic items that pose a fire risk if placed in a bin or skip – Photo: Paul Corey.
Some of the fast tech and low-quality, quickly discarded electronics found in municipal waste streams being sorted at Clean Ireland’s depot in Shannon, Co Clare – Photo: Paul Corey.