Glasgow union urges battery bins after spate of lorry fires

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 17:38 · Archive

A trade union has called for dedicated battery collection bins across Glasgow following fires in bin lorries.

Glasgow's GMB union has called on the city council to install dedicated battery collection bins following fires in bin lorries. GMB convenor Chris Mitchell has written to the council asking it to establish battery collection points to enable safe storage and prevent further fires.

Batteries, particularly lithium ones, can cause fires if crushed or damaged during waste collection or at recycling and waste-processing facilities. These fires endanger waste collection staff, firefighters and members of the public. They can also damage vehicles and buildings, disrupt services and harm the environment.

Mitchell has proposed several practical steps the council could take, including installing clearly marked battery collection bins at recycling centres, community facilities and other accessible public locations. He has also suggested the council work with supermarkets, retailers and local businesses to encourage them to provide collection points. He noted that major supermarkets including Asda and Aldi already provide collection points where customers can return used household batteries, offering residents convenient places to dispose of old batteries when shopping.

Mitchell has also suggested working with manufacturers to improve labelling on products and raising public awareness about the risks of putting batteries in household waste bins.

How it is being reported

• Glasgow union calls for battery bins after spate of bin lorry firesGMB urges Glasgow City Council to install battery collection bins after bin lorry fires, warning residents not to put lithium batteries in household bins.The Herald · 13 Oct, 17:09
• Plea to install battery collection bins across Glasgow after spate of bin lorry firesBatteries, particularly lithium, can cause fires if they are crushed or damaged during waste collection or at recycling and waste-processing facilities.Glasgow Live · 13 Oct, 14:07

In this story: GMB · Glasgow City Council · Chris Mitchell · Glasgow · Asda · Aldi

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