Causeway Coast Council joins campaign to tackle ‘Zombie Batteries’

Residents are being asked to help tackle ‘Zombie Batteries” by only disposing of dead batteries at Council’s Household Recycling Centres or in a proper disposal bin.

Batteries should never be thrown away alongside general rubbish or other recycling.

When dead batteries are disposed of with other waste and recycling, they are likely to be crushed or punctured once the waste is collected and processed. Some battery types in particular, like lithium-ion (Li-ion) and nickel-metal Hydride (NiMH), can ignite or even explode when they’re damaged.

Once this happens, the batteries can quickly set fire to other waste materials leading to serious incidents that put lives at risk.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Mark Fielding said: “It is important to recycle batteries responsibly and I am pleased to support the Take Charge campaign to help reduce risk and keep our staff and households safe.

“Disposing of batteries correctly will reduce their presence in general waste and recycling, and help reduce the number of fires in future.

“I would remind residents that batteries can be safely disposed of by putting them in designated recycling bins, including those located at all Household Recycling Centres in the area.”

Although safe to use normally, powerful lithium-ion batteries are typically the most dangerous if they are not recycled properly. These batteries are often found in products like laptops, tablets, mobile phones, radio-controlled toys, bluetooth devices, shavers, electric toothbrushes, power tools, scooters and even e-cigarettes.

Data gathered by the Environmental Services Association (ESA), which launched the campaign, shows that between April 2019 and March 2020, lithium-ion batteries alone were thought to be responsible for more than 250 fires at facilities during the year – or well over a third (38%) of all fires.

Consumers can find out more about the dangers of Zombie Batteries, by visiting the campaign website at www.takecharge.org.uk