Lithium battery fires at UK recycling sites surge, costing a billion pounds annually

New data show that UK recycling facilities are experiencing over ten fires per one outlet, many sparked by improperly discarded lithium batteries found in items such as vapes, smartphones and toys. The Environment Services Association, representing waste-management firms, logged 1,518 fires in the year ending March 2026, with at least 541 attributed to lithium-ion cells and 216 more occurring in collection trucks. The association believes that battery-related fires may actually account for around 70% of all incidents, far higher than the 40% figure currently reported.

Costs associated with these blazes have risen sharply, reaching roughly £1 billion a year, up from £150 million in 2021, and are burdening fire crews and insurers. Recent incidents, including a still-under-investigated fire at a Deptford recycling centre, highlight the growing risk to workers and local communities. The ESA, citing experiments showing vape batteries igniting at temperatures above 750 °C, is calling for a £5 deposit on all vapes to encourage safe return and proper recycling.