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 warning follows a recent rise in the number of fires in bin wagons and at the waste treatment facilities. These put lives at risk, can cause serious damage to vehicles and buildings, and disrupt the local collection and recycling of waste.
“This Christmas you’ll probably get a new electrical gift, gadget, or toy. We’re asking that everyone disposes of old electrical items responsibly by dropping them off at an appropriate recycling site.
“Electrical waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the UK. We all need to do our bit to recycle these items. It helps protect our workforce and communities, prevents damage to vehicles and equipment, reduces disruption to local waste collections, and avoids wasting the precious time of our fire service.”
Cllr George Ayre
Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Services
When rubbish is processed batteries can be crushed and explode. This causes fires that spread quickly. Electrical items include anything that can be charged. If it’s got a plug, battery, or cable it can be recycled and turned into something new. That includes vapes, electric toothbrushes, power tools, and phones.
Last year 85 tonnes of electrical items were thrown into household and recycling bins in Wakefield causing an increasing number of fires.
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 Wakefield 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 at 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