Across the UK, councils are facing an alarming rise in bin lorry fires — many of which are sparked by discarded batteries hidden in general waste. When crushed or punctured during collection, lithium-ion and other types of batteries can ignite, setting rubbish and vehicles ablaze. According to recent reports, hundreds of bin lorry fires occur each year, costing councils millions in damage, disrupting collections, and putting refuse workers at serious risk.
Most households don’t realise that even “dead” batteries still carry a residual charge. When mixed with metal or compressed alongside other waste, that energy can spark. Common culprits include batteries from e-cigarettes, toys, remote controls, and power tools. The result is spontaneous combustion inside refuse trucks or waste transfer stations, a danger that is preventable with just a small change in household recycling habits.
That’s where our bright pink battery bags come in. Designed for safe kerbside presentation, these reusable and colour-coded battery collection bags make it easy for residents to keep batteries separate from household waste. The distinctive pink colour ensures they stand out for collection crews, reducing the risk of batteries slipping into general bins unnoticed. Councils that adopt these bags are already seeing a significant drop in vehicle fires and contamination incidents.
Bin lorry fires are no longer fringe events, they’re becoming a recurring, national headache. Councils, fire services, and waste operators are reporting more frequent and more intense fire incidents linked to discarded batteries, vapes, and e-bike packs. In fact:
We’re proud to already supply multiple councils across the UK with our reusable battery bags. They’re cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and fully recyclable, helping local authorities meet sustainability goals while keeping collection crews and vehicles safe. With stock available now, councils can act quickly to implement this simple yet powerful fire prevention measure.
By introducing bright pink reusable battery bags, councils can take a proactive step toward safer waste management, cleaner recycling streams, and fewer costly fire incidents. A small pink bag can make a big difference.
