Bedford Borough Council warns against improper battery and vape disposal

Bedford Borough Council has issued a warning to residents against disposing of old batteries and vapes in standard household bins. The advisory follows a recent fire at a materials recovery depot in Elstow, which occurred only 12 months after a major fire destroyed the same facility.

Officials noted that batteries and vapes can ignite when crushed or overheated during collection or processing, posing risks to waste collectors and infrastructure. To mitigate this, the council advises residents to seal these items in clear plastic bags and place them on top of their black or orange-lidded recycling bins on collection day rather than inside the bins.

Additionally, the council reminded the public that retailers selling vapes are legally required to provide a “take-back” service for safe disposal, and household batteries can be recycled through designated home recycling programs.