Residents urged to recycle batteries safely following bin lorry fire

A fire inside a North West Leicestershire District Council waste collection lorry has led to residents being reminded batteries can be recycled safely at the roadside.

The council says the incident happened on Tuesday 25th August while the crews were out collecting black bins in Thringstone and they were able to put the fire out quickly and safely before any major harm was done.

They're reminding residents that batteries can be recycled safely as part of the normal collection service.

They say on recycling collection days, both used batteries and mobile phones should be placed in separate recyclable containers and left next to the red recycling boxes. Using old jam jars or margarine tubs with a lid on to dispose of batteries is particularly useful as these can be recycled afterwards.

Paul Sanders, Head of Community Services at NWLDC, said: “We’re extremely lucky that no residents or team members were hurt during the incident, and that the vehicle was not damaged beyond repair.

“A lot of residents might not realise that we collect batteries at the roadside and this incident presented a good opportunity to reiterate that message.”