Residents warned about disposing of batteries in household bins after fires

Published 16 June 2026

Residents are being reminded to dispose of batteries safely after two fires within waste services.

The cause of the fires, one at Dalmoak Recycling Centre and another in a bin lorry, is unknown however unsafe disposal of single use batteries or devices with lithium batteries has led to similar situations arising across the country.

If batteries or devices with hidden batteries - such as laptops, tablets or vaping products – enter the general waste stream they present a fire hazard when crushed by bin lorries or recycling centre machinery.

As well as the potential to endanger lives, battery fires also cause serious environmental and health risks.

To avoid this, residents should dispose of all batteries and electrical devices with batteries at dedicated recycling facilities, which are available at Council recycling centres and in many supermarkets.

Quick-thinking waste operatives on a bin lorry had to act fast after seeing smoke coming from the back of the truck. They used an on-board fire extinguisher to put the fire before returning to the depot to review the load, ensuring there was no further spread.

This latest incident follows a blaze at Dalmoak Civic Amenity site which led to a short-term closure of the facility and attendance by the fire service to extinguish the flames.

Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor David McBride, said: “It is imperative that householders are properly disposing of old batteries and devices containing batteries. While these devices are safe when in use, once the battery is out of use and damaged, it can cause fire.

“While we can’t say for certain that these incidents were caused by batteries, it is likely, and so I’m really glad that thanks to the quick-thinking waste operatives at both fires taking immediate action, we were able to avoid any severe consequences.”

Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill added: “"It’s important that we raise awareness of the dangers of disposing of batteries alongside household waste as this has the potential to have a costly and detrimental impact on our waste services.

“There are various outlets available locally which will accept batteries and devices containing batteries ensuring they are disposed of appropriately and I would encourage residents to do so.”

For more information on how to properly dispose of batteries and devices containing batteries, see https://recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/ or https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/recycling-locator.

They can also be disposed of at a dedicated receptacle at either of the Council’s Civic Amenity sites at Dalmoak or Erskine Ferry Road.