Let’s explore how to safely charge and dispose of your vape device in the wake of disaster.
Local Welsh Firefighters have issued a warning following a fire that erupted in the back of a 13 tonne waste van.
On Friday 6th June the blaze broke out inside a general recycling truck on the Newton bypass in Powys, Wales.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service emptied the contents onto the motorway whilst putting out the fire. They discovered disposable vape devices that appeared crushed and damaged and concluded they caused the rubbish to ignite.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stated:
“Lithium-ion batteries are hidden inside many everyday household electricals, from laptops, mobile phones and tablets to electric toothbrushes, vapes and earpods. These batteries can become crushed or damaged in bin lorries or waste sites if they aren’t recycled and can lead to a fire.
“Not only do battery fires endanger lives, but they can also cause serious environmental and health risks (1).”
Research conducted by the National Fire Chiefs Council and Recycle Your Electricals found the number of bin lorry and waste site fires linked to batteries has reached an all time high. Since 2022 fires have increased by 77% to over 1,200 in the last year.
Battery Safety Advice
The Electronic Cigarette Company takes battery safety extremely seriously. We urge all vapers to practice battery safety and dispose of devices responsibly to ensure personal and public safety.
How Can You Responsibly Dispose of Your Vape?
As a vaper, it’s important not to dispose of your ecig in a general waste bin/recycling. Such devices contain lithium batteries, and when crushed within waste can cause serious fires as seen in Wales.
You can dispose of your device responsibly via a disposable vape bin or a standard battery bin. You can find such bins in local supermarkets and town centres.
The TECC and Totally Wicked Stores will also accept any vape battery devices.
In line with the ‘Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment’ (WEEE) regulations, we offer a free recycling service for any old and unwanted products on a like for like basis. This means when you purchase a new device from us you can return your old equivalent to our Accrington store or via post.
It’s important to remember NOT to dismantle devices with built in batteries yourself.
If you wish to learn more about our return service check out our waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling guide.
How can I avoid a vape fire at home?
At The Electronic Cigarette Company we understand that seeing reports of fires suspected to be caused by vapes can be unsettling. However, by disposing of devices correctly and maintaining your kit you can easily avoid such issues.
Top 10 Tips for Battery Safety
- It’s important to always buy products from a reputable vendor.
- When you’re thinking of buying a product ensure the packaging displays the correct ‘CE’ safety mark and the distributor can prove their authenticity by providing appropriate certification if required.
- It’s crucial not to mix a battery from one supplier with another charger unless compatibility is specifically confirmed.
- Always charge batteries with a suitable power source. For example, use the correct amp plug, to avoid channelling too much power into your kit.
- Don’t leave your charging battery unattended. You should also turn of your kit whilst not in use.
- Charge your kit on a hard surface away from flammable materials. Be sure to also keep your battery and charger clean.
- Never allow your batteries to come into contact with metal items, e.g. loose change or keys in a pocket or bag. This can result in a short circuit of the battery. Ensure to store loose batteries in a protective case.
- Do not use a damaged battery, such as one with torn insulation, leakage, or malfunctions.
- It’s extremely important not to expose the battery to extreme heat, cold or direct sunlight and never allow contact with water.
- Finally, dispose of your battery in accordance with your country’s legislation.
We stock a range of products designed for battery safety. A key piece of kit is our TECC 1.0 amp Wall Adapter. The plug will help protect the battery from overheating and help you prevent external issues.
Sources
(1). MAWWFRS. Incident: Newton Bypass Recycling Waste Fire.
