Scrap yard calls for battery removal when recycling

A family-run scrap metal recycling yard is urging people to remove batteries from devices when discarding or recycling after a fire at its site.

Ford Industrial Estate in Yapton said blazes involving batteries were becoming more common after one broke out on 2 May, and said it was "devastated" it had happened again.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, which put out the blaze, described improper battery disposal as an "increasing problem".

Firefighter Roy Barraclough said: "Many supermarkets have recycling bins for batteries or [you can] take them to your local waste recovery site."

The yard confirmed everyone was safe following the fire, and said it was grateful to be open as usual for business.

It added: "To our neighbours and local community, we are truly sorry for the disruption and concern caused.

"We are devastated this has happened again.

"Incidents like this are becoming more common in the recycling industry."

Non-permitted Lithium-ion and NiCad batteries are small and concealed in many items, the yard said, such as vapes, phones, power tools and e-bikes.

"When they end up in waste piles it can quickly turn an ordinary day into a serious incident," it added.

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