Residents of Mid and East Antrim encouraged to think safety when recycling
Monday 27 July 2026
The incorrect disposal of electronics, batteries, full or partially full aerosols and vapes can cause serious fire risks at Household Recycling Centres and in waste vehicles.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is asking all residents to take care and safely dispose of such items. It has experienced several near-miss incidents linked to items being placed in the wrong containers and is thankful no one was injured.
The Council has a growing concern over battery and vape fires and wants to always ensure the safety of staff and residents at its household recycling centres.
The near‑miss incidents happened when batteries and disposable vapes have sparked, smouldered or caught fire after being compacted or crushed. Such fires can spread rapidly, producing toxic smoke and requiring emergency response. This experience is not unique to Mid and East Antrim - it has been noticed across the UK waste-sector.
Lithium-ion batteries - commonly found in mobile phones, laptops, e scooters, power tools, toys, vapes and e cigarettes - pose a significant fire risk when damaged, crushed or exposed to heat. When mistakenly placed in general waste or mixed recycling skips, these items can ignite without warning, putting staff, residents and facilities at serious risk. Full or partially-full aerosols can also pose a fire-risk. In addition, smouldering BBQ ash or ash from home fires should never be placed in the black bin.
“Even a small battery can cause a major fire,” said Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Alderman Thomas Gordon.
“When batteries or vapes are hidden inside bags of waste or placed in the wrong container, our staff cannot see them. Once crushed, they can ignite instantly.”
To keep everyone safe, residents are asked to always follow these simple steps:
Never place batteries, vapes, full or partially full aerosols or electronics in general waste or mixed recycling containers.
Remove batteries from devices where possible and bring them to the dedicated battery recycling point at your local household recycling centre.
Place disposable vapes and rechargeable vapes in the designated vape or small electricals container.
Bring all small electrical items—including phones, chargers, toys, remote controls, e‑cigarettes and kitchen gadgets—to the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) area at the household recycling centres.
Proper disposal ensures batteries and electronics are safely dismantled, with valuable materials recovered and hazardous components managed responsibly. Such practises ensure there is minimal risk of fires in skips, compactors and waste vehicles that could cause service disruption and damage to the Borough’s recycling infrastructure.
“We need the public’s help to prevent avoidable fires,” Mayor Gordon added.
“By placing batteries, vapes, full or partially full aerosols and electrical items in the correct containers, residents can protect staff, safeguard our facilities and support responsible recycling. If a resident is unsure how to responsibly dispose of electronics, vapes, batteries or aerosols they are encouraged to ask a staff member.”
Mid and East Antrim is thankful for the commitment of its residents’ commitment to safe and sustainable recycling and welcomes their cooperation to end fire risks at its facilities.