Cumberland Council is urging residents to dispose of batteries responsibly and refrain from placing them in regular household waste bins.
Following last week’s incident involving a refuse vehicle catching fire in Carlisle, the council emphasises the importance of proper battery disposal for all households.
Batteries, commonly found in everyday items like toothbrushes, toys, phones, e-cigarettes, and laptops—including rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries—must be handled with care because of their potential to cause fires or explosions if damaged.
To ensure safety and environmental protection, the council advises residents to use designated battery recycling bins available at Household Waste Recycling Centres throughout Cumberland and most supermarkets across the council area.
If anyone wants to find their nearest battery collection point please go to the Recycle More website.
Chloe Tringham, Assistant Director for Climate and Waste, said:
“In our increasingly digital world, electronic devices powered by batteries are indispensable. From smartphones to remote controls, these devices play a vital role in our daily lives. However, batteries have a limited lifespan and need proper disposal.
"Even if they don't cause a fire, damaged batteries pose a significant risk to the environment. These batteries contain various chemicals and materials that can have detrimental effects to our surroundings, if not recycled responsibly.
“Recycling batteries is a simple yet effective way to protect the environment and conserve valuable resources, and we are encouraging people to take their unwanted batteries to their Household Waste Recycling Centres or their local supermarket for recycling.”
This initiative aims to reduce environmental impact and ensure a safer community for all residents of Cumberland.