Mobile batteries blamed for recycling centre blazes
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - 09:58:13
People are being warned to recycle their old smartphones safely and via official channels after fires began at a waste facility in Lincolnshire this month.
Experts believe that discarded mobiles and laptops are likely to have been the cause of the two infernos, which needed to be tackled by fire crews after they took hold in stacks of recyclable waste.
Some councils offer residents the option of kerbside collection for unwanted gadgets, including those powered by batteries. But in most cases these need to be kept separate from the rest of the recyclable waste; when they are mixed in and undetected, disasters can occur.
There are plenty of options for getting rid of outdated smartphones in a sustainable way that does not damage the environment or pose a fire hazard. Selling old mobiles online is the best option, especially if the device is still in good working order, as this can net owners hundreds of pounds for sought-after makes and models.
Local recycling centres will provide drop-off sections for aging gizmos and appliances of all sizes. And since batteries can become very unstable if they are left to degrade, it is essential that they are processed correctly.
Tossing old devices in general wastes is equally problematic, with councils warning that this can create fires at landfill and in waste centres up and down the country.
There are regular reports of blazes at such facilities, which is why it is so important to raise awareness about the benefits of mobile recycling and avoid incidents like this in the future.
For the time being, current battery tech does not look like it is going to change radically in terms of its design. So the risk of fire will remain, unless consumers take responsibility for their smartphones when they upgrade.
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