UK waste management company Biffa reported that fires related to batteries and electronic devices at its UK recycling facilities increased by 70% in June 2025, reaching 60 incidents. Despite the ban on disposable vapes taking effect on June 1, improper disposal of vapes continues to rise. Research indicates that lithium-ion batteries are the primary cause of waste fires, resulting in over 1,200 fires annually in the UK. Biffa is urging the UK government to provide curbside recycling services to reduce fire risks.
Key Points:
- Increase in fires: In June 2025, UK waste management company Biffa recorded 60 fires related to batteries and electronic devices, a 70% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
- Limited Effect of vape Ban: Despite the ban on disposable vapes taking effect on June 1, improper disposal of vapes increased by 7% during June and July.
- Fire Risks: Lithium-ion batteries are the primary cause of waste fires, accounting for nearly half of all waste fires in the UK.
- Economic Losses: Battery-related fires cause annual losses of £1 billion (approximately $1.25 billion) to the UK waste industry.
- Expert calls: Biffa Chief Operating Officer Maxine Mayhew has called on the UK government to provide curbside recycling services to reduce fire risks.
- Insufficient regulation: Over 90% of vape manufacturers and retailers have failed to fulfill their legal obligation to provide and fund recycling services.
Biffa calls for stronger vape recycling management
According to a report by resource.co on August 20. UK waste management company Biffa has called on the UK government to provide curbside recycling services for disposable vapes, while reporting that fires related to batteries and electronic devices have increased by 70% over the past year.
Biffa recorded 60 battery-related fires at its UK recycling facilities in June, with 4-5 fires occurring daily in waste collection vehicles nationwide.
Research indicates that lithium-ion batteries account for nearly half of all waste fires in the UK annually. The National Fire Chiefs Council reported over 1,200 fires in waste collection vehicles and landfills in 2024, a 71% increase from 700 incidents in 2022.
“The UK is facing a growing epidemic of battery-related fires, which not only threaten lives, communities, critical infrastructure, and the environment in waste collection vehicles and waste management facilities, but also result in annual losses of £1 billion (approximately $1.25 billion),” said Maxine Mayhew, Biffa’s Chief Operating Officer.
Despite the ban on disposable vapes taking effect on June 1, 2025, Biffa reported a 7% increase in improper vape disposal at its UK facilities during June and July. At its MRF plant in Teesside, improper disposal increased by 24%, with 232,500 recently banned devices being placed in recycling bins instead of designated disposal points.
At the company’s facility in Wakefield, nearly 85 tons of batteries and electrical appliances were improperly disposed of during the 2024-2025 period, resulting in 46 fires at the Kirby South recycling facility and five fires involving waste collection vehicles.
Mayhew added: “The UK is facing an increasingly severe battery-related fire crisis, which not only threatens lives, communities, critical infrastructure, and the environment in waste collection vehicles and waste management facilities but also causes annual losses of 1 billion pounds.”
Fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries
According to Material Focus data, approximately 5 million disposable vapes are discarded in the UK each week, a significant increase from 1.3 million the previous year. Of the 13.5 million vapes purchased weekly in 2024, 8.2 million are discarded or improperly recycled. The annual cost of collecting and recycling discarded vapes is estimated at £200 million (approximately $300 million), and Material Focus claims this cost is not adequately covered by manufacturers and retailers.
During waste collection and processing, lithium-ion batteries in vapes and other items may overheat and catch fire when exposed to heat, damage, or compression.
Mayhew highlighted this ongoing issue, saying, “Whether discarded in recycling bins, black garbage bags at home, or outdoor trash cans—whether discarded separately or hidden inside electronic devices—batteries cause serious damage when they are not disposed of at professional recycling points, supermarkets, or any other designated locations.”
The Environmental Services Association had previously warned that trash fires could burn for days or even weeks, causing widespread environmental damage through harmful greenhouse gas emissions, firewater contamination, and disruption to transportation routes.
Despite regulatory changes, vape disposal issues persist
Biffa’s data shows that disposal behavior has not changed since the June ban took effect, and improper vape disposal continues to increase.
Mayhew added, “While the popularity of vapes has risen in recent years, disposal practices have not kept pace with this trend. Many vapes are carelessly discarded in nearby trash bins or even thrown on the ground. This is often because people lack awareness of the fire hazard posed by the lithium-ion batteries hidden inside these devices, even when they appear to be fully discharged.”
Material Focus warned that manufacturers are developing new “high-capacity” vape alternatives. The charity reported that currently, 3 million “large-caliber” vapes are purchased weekly, with some devices capable of up to 6,000 puffs, compared to 600 puffs for traditional disposable models. 63% of all vape use now comes from these devices, which are most popular among those aged 16-24, with nearly half of that age group using them.
Recent updates to the WEEE regulations have reclassified vapes from “toys” to their specific category. Vape sellers are now required to operate in-store recycling programs. Research by Material Focus shows that over 90% of vape manufacturers and retailers are not fulfilling their legal obligation to provide and pay for recycling services.
Out of 764 retailers surveyed across 13 UK cities, only 86 stores offered recycling points.
Mayhew explained: “Vapes and lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of at household waste recycling centers, in vape recycling bins often found at local supermarkets, or returned to the store where they were purchased. In some areas, local authorities also provide battery recycling services, but this is not available nationwide.”
