Tuesday 25th August 2026
By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor
Humberside Fire & Rescue Service is urging people across Bridlington to take a fresh look at the clutter tucked away in drawers, garages and lofts — especially old chargers, mystery cables, forgotten gadgets and devices that “might come in handy one day”.
The warning comes as UK waste crews continue to face a growing number of fires caused by batteries thrown into household bins. Research shows more than 1,200 battery‑related fires were recorded in UK bin lorries and waste facilities in a single year, highlighting the scale of the problem when batteries are crushed during collection and processing.
Residents are being asked to check old devices carefully, as many contain hidden rechargeable batteries that can ignite if disposed of incorrectly.
Why it matters
When batteries or battery‑powered devices end up in household waste, they can be compacted inside bin lorries or crushed at recycling sites. This can trigger dangerous fires, putting waste crews, firefighters and the public at risk. UK data shows battery and vape fires are rising year‑on‑year, with incidents now reported roughly every nine days.
What should be recycled?
Many everyday items contain batteries, including:
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Mobile phones
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Tablets and laptops
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Wireless earbuds/headphones
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Smart watches
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Power banks
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Electric toothbrushes
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Children’s toys
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Vapes
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Rechargeable household gadgets
What should Bridlington residents do?
✅ Recycle loose batteries
Use battery collection points found in supermarkets and local retailers.
✅ Recycle electrical items separately
Take unwanted electricals to East Riding Council’s household waste recycling centres or participating retailers.
✅ Check old devices before binning
Many contain hidden lithium‑ion batteries that must be recycled properly.
🚫 Never place batteries or battery‑powered devices in household bins, public bins or skips
Even one small battery can cause a fire when crushed.
A few minutes can prevent a fire
Humberside Fire & Rescue Service says a quick clear‑out of old cables, chargers and forgotten gadgets can help prevent dangerous waste‑system fires, protect collection crews and keep valuable materials in use for longer.
“Thank you for helping keep batteries out of bins,” the service added.
