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A Guernsey mother was fined £11,500 for accidentally throwing away 23 AA batteries during a house move, with the penalty later reduced to £1,000. Island Waste, the refuse company, stresses the importance of proper battery disposal.

The OPSS outlines environmental hazards of batteries in landfills and their potential to leak toxic chemicals. In 2024, there were 1,330 lithium-ion battery fires in the UK, a 93% increase from 2022, predominantly linked to e-bikes.

The NFCC reported over 1,200 battery-related fires in refuse vehicles and waste facilities from 2023 to 2024. The Environmental Service Association calls for improved battery collection systems nationwide.