Published on Tuesday 10 March 2026
The council is urging residents to dispose of batteries and items containing batteries such as vapes, safely after a growing number of fires linked to incorrect battery disposal have put waste crews, recycling centres and local communities at risk.
Batteries and items containing batteries thrown into household bins - both recycling and rubbish - have caused significant damage to waste collection vehicles and facilities. Several recent incidents have forced temporary closures of recycling transfer centres and disrupted services.
To protect staff and residents, the council will be ending its kerbside battery collection service from 9 March. While this service has been available, continuing the service risks worsening the rising number of battery related fires if batteries are placed in the wrong bins or not recycled correctly.
Instead, BCP Council is encouraging residents to use the many free and legally required battery and vape drop-off points in shops and supermarkets. Batteries and vapes can also be taken to any council recycling centre for safe recycling.
The council’s priority is safety and preventing further fires caused by batteries being thrown into household waste.
Cllr Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, said:
“Batteries placed in household bins or recycling trucks are causing a growing number of fires, putting our waste crews, facilities and residents at risk, as we continue to hear about and to tackle fires caused by batteries.
“Since January 2025 to date we have had 11 fires linked to incorrect battery disposal, which poses an unacceptable danger.
“To keep people safe, we have taken the decision to end kerbside battery collections. Instead, residents can use the free battery drop-off points available in many shops – these are provided by retailers by law – or take batteries to any of our designated recycling centres.”
“We do ask residents not to put batteries and items containing batteries such as vapes into either their recycling or residual waste bins, but to dispose of them carefully at a drop-off point.”
The council is working closely with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), who continue to warn that crushed or punctured batteries - particularly lithium-ion batteries - can ignite or explode when damaged in waste lorries.
Residents are encouraged to make use of the many easily accessible recycling points in shops, supermarkets and local centres. To find your nearest battery recycling location, visit: https://recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/electrical-recycling-near-me