24/08/2026
🔴 My Community Alert - Humberside Fire & Rescue Service 🔴
We all have that one drawer or box...
We all have that one drawer or a box somewhere, it may be in the garage, shed or loft.
You know the one.
It's full of old charging cables, spare batteries, mystery plugs, an old phone that "might come in handy one day" and gadgets you've completely forgotten about.
Take a moment and think:
- Do you know what every charging cable in that drawer belongs to?
- Do you still use the device it charges?
If not, it might be time for a clear-out.
Many of the electrical items we keep tucked away contain batteries. When batteries or battery-powered devices are thrown into household bins, they can be crushed during collection and processing, causing fires.
In fact, more than 1,200 battery fires were recorded in UK bin lorries and waste facilities in a single year, highlighting the growing problem of batteries being disposed of incorrectly.
What should I recycle?
✅ Recycle loose batteries at battery collection points, often found in supermarkets and other retailers.
✅ Recycle unwanted electrical items separately through your local recycling centre or participating retailer.
✅ Check old devices before deciding to throw away. Many contain hidden rechargeable batteries that can be recycled.
🚫 Never place batteries or battery-powered devices in your household bin, a public bin or skip.
It only takes a few minutes, but it can help prevent fires, protect waste and recycling crews, firefighters and keep valuable materials in use for longer.
Thank you for helping keep batteries out of bins.
Does this look familiar?
It might be in a drawer or a box in the garage, shed or loft right now...
Old batteries. Wireless earbuds that stopped working. A power bank you haven't used in years. An old mobile phone you've been meaning to recycle. As well as mysterious cables!
Many everyday items contain lithium-ion batteries. When they're thrown away in general waste, they can be crushed during collection or processing and start fires.
Last year, there were more than 1,200 battery fires in UK bin lorries and waste facilities, a 71% increase on the previous year.
✅ Recycle loose batteries at supermarket or local battery collection points
✅ Take old phones, tablets, laptops, wireless earbuds and other electronics to your local household waste recycling centre
🚫 Never put batteries or battery-powered devices in your household bin, public bins or a skip
A few minutes sorting out unwanted batteries and devices can help protect waste crews, firefighters and your community.
What's the oldest battery-powered device you've still got at home?
