New signage at Mid Ulster recycling centres aims to get message across on battery fire hazards
Councillor Christine McFlynn has welcomed new signage at recycling centres in Mid Ulster warning about the dangers of batteries in electrical appliances, just weeks after a fire had to be extinguished at Magherafelt Recycling Centre.
The SDLP representative, chair of Mid Ulster’s Environment committee, remarked on the fact that her party colleague and District Deputy Chair, Councillor Denise Johnston, had called for such signage to be erected at the March committee meeting, just days before that fire broke out.
The fire broke out in a black bin compactor. According to the local authority, the fire may have been caused by a battery.
Addressing committee members at the April Environment committee meeting, Cllr McFlynn commented: “I just wanted to comment briefly on what Councillor Johnson had raised with regards to the batteries and the recycling of our batteries.
“The signage has gone up at all our recycling places, Cookstown, Dungannon and Magherafelt, and I’m sure the other ones will be following.
“I think it was a very timely conversation [at the March committee meeting] given that days later, we had a fire at the Magherafelt recycling plant, and only for the goodwill of our staff that skip would have gone totally on fire, and we don’t know what would have happened out there.
“So, it was a very worthwhile conversation on that one.”
Following the fire at Magherafelt Recycling Centre, the council posted on social media: “Your batteries and electricals could cause a fire.
“Reminder to remove all batteries from electrical appliances before recycling in the right way, to reduce the risk of fire and help keep our recycling staff safe.
“Our Household Recycling Centres all have appropriate containers to help you recycle your electrical items and batteries separately.
“Never put batteries in general waste or recycling bins at the kerbside; only recycle batteries via a proper battery recycling service – never dispose of batteries in mixed waste at our recycling centres.
“Remove batteries from broken devices if you can, and recycle battery and device separately – batteries can be disposed of in battery bins and boxes at battery return stations in retailers or in schools.
“If you can’t safely remove the battery, recycle the item with the battery inside – please speak to the site attendants for guidance on how to do so.”