The figure comes as research from the East London Waste Authority (ELWA) found that Londoners disposed of 48 million batteries and small electricals in residual waste bins in 2025.
This is despite 47% of Londoners surveyed claiming to be “fully aware” that this action can cause fires in bin lorries or waste facilities.
Richard Field, London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, said: “Our crews see first-hand the dangers and risks that incorrectly disposed of batteries can have.
“We continue to be called out to fires involving waste collection vehicles; some of which can take a considerable amount of time to resolve and often results in waste temporarily piled high in residential streets.
“When fires occur at waste disposal sites or recycling centres, the consequences can be even greater because there are huge amounts of flammable materials present. These fires can often be very time consuming to extinguish and can have a detrimental impact on the local environment and community. We suspect that lithium-ion batteries are responsible for a significant amount of these types of fires and urge everyone to take care and dispose of the batteries properly.”
Polling conducted by Censuswide found that 57% of the 1,000 London residents interviewed have disposed of at least one small electrical item in their household rubbish over the past 12 months.
Just under three in five Londoners (59%) admitted the same for loose batteries.
HypnoCube installation
The findings were released to accompany the launch of ELWA’s “HypnoCube”, created with help from Material Focus.
The installation includes Material Focus’ HypnoCat mascot and will tour across ELWA’s partner boroughs over the coming weeks, ending on 26 August 2026.
The HypnoCube was built by Kind Cycle, the successful winners of a design competition launched by ELWA and Material Focus earlier this year.
The installation was designed to help residents identify products containing hidden batteries, understand the risks associated with incorrect disposal and learn how to recycle them.
Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus said: “We are pleased to support the launch of the HypnoCube project that helps address the pressing issue of e-waste.
“This eye-catching installation will help to raise awareness of electrical waste and battery fires and how the residents of east London can recycle their electricals.
“We have already taken a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for more than 12 million people in the UK to reuse and recycle their electricals. Anything with a plug, battery or cable, can be re-used, donated, or recycled.”
ELWA’s installation tour forms part of the waste authority’s ongoing partnership with Material Focus and has or will be visiting the following locations:
Redbridge:
- South Park, South Park Road Ilford, IG1 1XU
- Greener Together Family Learning Day & launch event
- 28 July – 10am – 2pm
Barking & Dagenham:
- Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, Althorne Way, Dagenham RM10 7FH
- 13 August – 10am – 2pm
Newham:
- East Ham Library, 328 Barking Road, East Ham, London E6 2RT
- 18 August – 10am-2pm
Havering:
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- Queens Theatre Green, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1AX
- Community Fun Day
- 26 August – 12pm-2pm
These very issues will be at the heart of discussion at the Fire and Health & Safety Conference, taking place on 21 October 2026 – find out more here.
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