Wakefield Council urges residents to recycle batteries safely this Christmas
Thursday, December 04, 2025
As the festive period approaches, Wakefield Council is warning residents about the dangers of disposing of batteries and electrical items in household bins.
The district has seen a rise in the number of fires in bin wagons and at the waste treatment facilities, putting lives at risk and causing serious damage.
“With Christmas around the corner, many will receive electrical gifts, gadgets and new toys. Please make sure to get rid of your old electrical items responsibly. Collect them and drop them off at the correct recycling sites. Electrical waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the UK. It is important we all do our part, so that their materials can be recycled. We must prevent fires that harm people, damage equipment and waste valuable fire service resources.”
Cllr George Ayre
Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Services
When rubbish is processed, batteries can be crushed and explode, causing fires that spread quickly. Electrical items include anything that can be charged. Anything with a plug, battery, or cable can be recycled and turned into something new. This includes vapes, electric toothbrushes, power tools, and phones.
Last year in Wakefield, 85 tonnes of electrical items were thrown in household and recycling bins. This led to a significant increase in the number of fires across the district.
Drew Pearson, Biffa's Wakefield Contract Director, said: “The UK is facing a growing epidemic of battery-related waste fires which threatens lives, vital infrastructure and the environment. Whether discarded on their own or hidden inside electronic devices, batteries wreak havoc when they are thrown in the wrong bin.
"While the vast majority of residents do dispose of these items safely, it’s really important everyone plays their part to prevent these types of fires."
In the Wakefield district batteries and electrical items can be disposed at our Household Waste Recycling Centres (open all year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day) or bring sites with a waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling point. They can also be dropped off in your local library’s pink bin (electricals smaller than a microwave only) or at selected supermarkets, that have a battery recycling point.
To find out where you can get rid of your old batteries and electrical items visit: Never Bin Batteries and Electricals - Wakefield Council