‘Zombie batteries’ cause hundreds of fires in the United Kingdom, industry experts have warned, Guardian reported. Thousands of tonnes of batteries are thrown out every year and only a fraction of them are properly recycled.

UK’s Environmental Services Association (ESA) describes ‘zombie batteries’ as the “dead batteries hiding in waste bins or old electrical items, like phones, power tools and laptops.”

How do ‘zombie batteries’ cause fire?

Batteries are often discarded with general waste and they get punctured or crushed during collection and processing, as per the ESA. 

Some types of batteries, particularly lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride get ignited and explode when damaged and set fire the other objects. 

Several such cases require dozens of firefighters and the evacuation of residents.

“Fires caused by carelessly discarded batteries endanger lives, cause millions of pounds of damage and disrupt waste services,” said Jacob Hayler, ESA’s executive director, Guardian reported.

How often does improper recycling of batteries lead to fires?

Lithium-ion batteries are believed to have been responsible for at least 250 fires at recycling and waste facilities across the UK between April 2019 and March 2020.

What are Lithium-ion batteries?

These are the rechargeable batteries typically found in laptops, mobile phones, tablets and other electronic devices. 

They’re increasingly prevalent in devices, thus the problem is likely to get worse unless people change their behaviour, the ESA has warned.

How can the problem be solved?

The ESA has urged consumers to “recycle batteries responsibly by using battery recycling points in shops and recycling centres, or a separate battery kerbside collection if available.”

It has also launched the ‘Take Charge’ campaign and has asked people to “join the fight against zombie batteries.”