Residents are being urged to dispose of batteries safely after a bin lorry fire caused by improper recycling.
A refuse truck collecting blue bin recycling caught fire on Minerva Way, Cambridge, at around 08:40 GMT, according to the Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Services. Firefighters quickly responded, preventing the flames from spreading. Officials have confirmed that discarded batteries or vapes were the likely cause.
Batteries thrown into household waste or recycling bins can spark fires when crushed in collection trucks. This poses a serious safety risk to waste crews and the public.
To prevent similar incidents, Cambridge City Council advises:
- Small household batteries – Place them in a sealed plastic bag on top of your wheelie bin on collection day.
- Supermarket drop-off points – Many large stores accept batteries for recycling.
- Larger batteries (e.g., e-bike batteries) – Take them to household recycling centres, such as the Milton Recycling Centre.
- Vapes – Also recyclable at designated centres like Milton.
