TECH Signal 408
Discarded vape lithium batteries spark £1bn yearly cost in UK recycling fires
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Wrongly discarded lithium batteries, especially from vapes, cause over ten fires weekly at UK recycling centres, driving annual costs to £1bn.
The £1bn annual cost reflects a significant financial burden on waste management and could raise operational expenses for recycling facilities. Engineers designing battery-powered products must consider end-of-life safety and recycling compatibility to mitigate fire risks. The proposed £5 vape deposit scheme would alter product return logistics and encourage designs that facilitate easy battery removal.
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ESA members reported 1,518 fires in the year to March 2026, with at least 541 directly attributed to lithium-ion batteries.
Estimated annual cost of battery-related fires rose from £150m in 2021 to £1bn today.
The ESA advocates a £5 deposit on vape sales to incentivise safe return and reduce fires.
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