Harlow Council is reminding residents of the importance of safely disposing of battery waste after a bin lorry caught fire on Edinburgh Way last Friday (15 August).
The incident, which occurred around 11am near the River Way roundabout, caused significant disruption as emergency services responded and, roads were closed for several hours. Work went on into the early hours to make the area safe.
Preliminary investigations suggest that improperly disposed batteries may have contributed to the fire. This serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by placing batteries in household waste bins.
Councillor Nicky Purse, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment, said:
“This incident could have been far worse, and it highlights the very real risks of putting batteries in your general waste. Batteries can ignite or explode when damaged or crushed, especially in bin lorries. We urge all residents to use the free battery collection service provided by the council. It’s simple, safe, and helps prevent dangerous incidents like this.
“Let’s all do our part to keep Harlow safe.”
Harlow Council offers a free battery collection service for houses (not flats or communal properties). Residents should:
- Place batteries in a clearly labelled cardboard box or plastic bag.
- Leave the box or bag next to your black wheelie bin or purple bags on your non-recycling collection day.
- Ensure batteries are separated from devices (e.g., mobile phones, laptops).
Damaged, leaking, car, industrial, or wired batteries are not included in this service.
If a battery cannot be removed from an item, residents can book a free bulky waste collection via the council’s website. For full details, click here.