The “Stop the Spark” campaign is a collaboration between West Sussex County Council, the council’s waste contractor Biffa, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and environmental education charity Wastebuster.
Councillor Natasha Davie, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change at West Sussex County Council, said: “Many people don’t realise that batteries hidden inside everyday items can cause serious fires when they enter the recycling and waste system.
“These incidents put people at risk and can disrupt services for communities across West Sussex.
The campaign features a simple tagline: “If it has a plug, battery or cable, don’t bin it.”
Residents can recycle batteries, vapes and electrical items safely through a range of collection and recycling services across West Sussex, including kerbside collection in some areas.
Davie added: “We’re asking residents to make one simple change: if an item has a plug, battery or cable, don’t put it in your bin.
“Instead, take it to a Recycling Centre or another suitable collection point so it can be disposed of safely.”
So far in 2026, the county has seen 40 fires linked to batteries and electrical items, occurring at the Ford Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), in waste collection vehicles and at Recycling Centres.
A further 199 fires caused by batteries, vapes and small electrical items were recorded at the Anaerobic Digestion and Resource Recovery Facility (ADRRF) in Horsham between June 2024 and May 2025.
The campaign will see an educational film released every week for seven weeks and also includes other support material including posters, leaflets, vehicle livery and digital ads. The first film has been released and can be viewed here:
Susie Chasmar, Contract Director for Biffa West Sussex, said: “Batteries are powering more of the products we use every day but, when they are thrown away incorrectly, they pose a serious fire risk.
“Across the recycling and waste sector, battery-related fires are significantly increasing, putting our people, vehicles, facilities and essential local services at risk.
“Whether it’s a vape, a toy, a power tool or a household gadget, batteries should never be placed in your general waste or recycling bin.
“We’re urging residents across West Sussex to use dedicated battery recycling points or household waste Recycling Centres.
“Taking a few moments to dispose of batteries safely can help prevent fires, protect our people and keep communities safe.”
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