Plea for dedicated battery bins across Glasgow after spate of lorry fires

A plea to install dedicated battery collection bins across Glasgow has been issued by a trade union following a spate of bin lorry fires.

GMB convenor Chris Mitchell has written to the city council asking them to install battery collection bins to ensure batteries can be collected and stored safely, preventing further fires.

The letter raises concerns about the safe disposal of household batteries and asks the council to work with local shops, supermarkets and manufacturers to make it easier for people across Glasgow to dispose of them safely.

Batteries, particularly lithium, can cause fires if they are crushed or damaged during waste collection or at recycling and waste-processing facilities.

These fires put waste collection staff, firefighters and members of the public at risk. They can also damage vehicles and buildings, disrupt services and cause harm to the environment.

Chris says he believes there are practical steps Glasgow City Council could take to help reduce these risks including working with supermarkets and local shops, installing dedicated battery collection bins, work with manufacturers to improve labelling, raise public awareness and work together to mitigate these fire risks.

He said: “Many major supermarkets, including Asda and Aldi, provide collection points where customers can return used household batteries.

“The council should work with more supermarkets, retailers and local businesses to encourage them to provide similar facilities across Glasgow.

“This would give residents more convenient places to drop off their old batteries when doing their regular shopping.

“The council should also look at providing clearly marked battery collection points at suitable locations throughout Glasgow, including recycling centres, community facilities and other accessible public locations.

“These facilities should be designed and managed appropriately to ensure batteries can be collected and stored safely.”

Chris also suggests approaching battery manufacturers and packaging producers to encourage clearer warnings and disposal instructions on packaging while also raising public awareness of the dangers.

He continued: “Simple messages such as “Do not put batteries in your household bin – recycle them safely” would help people understand what they should do.

“The council could use its website, social media, local community groups and public information campaigns to remind residents how to dispose of batteries safely. This would help ensure people understand that batteries should not simply be thrown away with general rubbish.

“By bringing together the council, waste management services, retailers and manufacturers, Glasgow can take practical steps to reduce the risk of battery-related fires, protect workers and the public, and improve recycling.

“This is a straightforward opportunity to make it easier for residents to do the right thing while helping to protect our communities, our waste services and our environment.”

Glasgow City Council says it welcomes the suggestions that have been raised by trade union colleagues which will form part of ongoing consideration of ways to further reduce these risks.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “Batteries and other hazardous items going into household waste is a matter of great concern, both in Glasgow and throughout the waste industry in the UK as a whole.

“In recent years there have been an increase in fires and other incidents at waste facilities across the country following the incorrect disposal of hazardous items, such as batteries, vapes, pressurised canisters and other electrical equipment.

“Residents should always recycle their hazardous waste at their local recycling centre. Household batteries can also be recycled in a wide range of places, such as supermarkets, retail outlets and other public buildings. Batteries should never be disposed of in a household bin. Putting batteries into household waste puts refuse collectors at risk but can also disrupt the wider waste management system.

“In the recent Glasgow incidents, staff followed the correct safety procedures and this helped to minimise their impact.

“We welcome the suggestions that have been raised by our trade union colleagues and these will form part of our ongoing consideration of ways to further reduce these risks. We will continue to work with partners and review opportunities to strengthen awareness, prevention and safety measures as appropriate.”