A freedom of information (FOI) request has revealed that there were seven fires at Ealing’s main recycling centre where lithium-ion batteries or vapes were suspected to have been the cause between 2021 and 2025.
Data released by Ealing Council shows Greenford Reuse and Recycling Centre recorded one incident in 2021, none in 2022, two in 2023, three in 2024 and one in 2025.
The council said lithium-ion batteries or vapes were the suspected cause of the fires, but the exact cause was inconclusive.
The figures were obtained by fire safety company The Fire Co under the Environmental Information Regulations.
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in disposable and rechargeable vapes and can ignite if they are crushed, damaged or disposed of incorrectly.
Rob Watchorn, director and fire safety consultant at The Fire Co, said: “People use these products every day, but many don’t know what is inside them. Many of the lithium-ion batteries found inside disposable and rechargeable vapes have the potential to start fires when they are crushed, damaged, or thrown away incorrectly.
“Every fire at a recycling centre or waste facility puts crews, site workers and local communities at risk. Vapes should never go in household bins. They should be taken to a dedicated battery recycling point, returned through a retailer take-back scheme, or disposed of at a Household Waste Recycling Centre that accepts batteries.”
