As new figures reveal blazes are rising, BMRA calls on festival organisers to act
HE British Metals Recycling Association has urged all music festivals to introduce an outright ban on all disposable vapes.
Glastonbury, Leeds and Reading were among many headline festivals who banned the items last Summer.
But as the clock-ticks down to events this year, many festivals have yet to follow suit.
And as new figures show blazes linked to batteries used in the vapes are rising, the BMRA says more needs to be done to protect festival goers.
Antonia Grey, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the BMRA, said: “We welcome more festivals introducing single use vape bans following Glastonbury’s lead last year. But we hope many more will follow this year.
“If festivals decide against a ban, which would be disappointing, then we’d strongly urge them to ensure there are suitable recycling facilities for festival-goers to dispose of used vapes.
“Not only will this help to protect waste and recycling workers from any dangers imposed by a rogue lithium-ion battery, but it also ensures that it gets into the correct recycling stream in order to recover the metal material in it.
“While a Government ban on disposable vapes is likely, until then we all must be mindful of how we dispose of, and recycle, all vapes and, in fact, anything containing a lithium-ion battery.”
The BMRA has long been campaigning for action to be taken on the grounds of safety and fire risk posed by the lithium-ion batteries they contain.
Earlier this week new figures revealed how fires caused by batteries in waste have gone up by 71% in the UK since 2022.
An increase in the number of these devices being thrown in household rubbish bins has led to more than 1,200 fires in the waste system in the past 12 months, compared with 700 two years ago.
It is estimated that lithium-ion batteries are responsible for around 48% of all waste fires occurring in the UK, costing the UK economy some £150 million last year.
Rechargeable batteries are used to supply power to many kinds of devices including mobile/cordless phones, laptops, scooters, e-cigarettes, smoke alarms, toys, power tools and cars.
Many of these end up in refuse lorries and recycling centres where they represent significant fire risks because of a lack of a national roadside pick-up scheme.
Fires are occurring due to items containing lithium-ion batteries, like vapes, not being disposed of correctly.
Poor quality or damaged batteries can spontaneously explode and have been blamed for sparking large scale fires at recycling centres across the country.
Exploding batteries have caused deaths and hundreds of fires globally, largely due to the popularity of electric scooters and bicycles. The London Fire Brigade said last year it is called out to a blaze caused by an e-scooter every two days.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are used to supply power to many kinds of devices including mobile/cordless phones, laptops, scooters, e-cigarettes, smoke alarms, toys, power tools and even cars.
Many of these end up in refuse lorries and recycling centres where they represent significant fire risks because of a lack of a national roadside pick-up scheme.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA) has recently called for a ban on disposable vapes, as have local councils.
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
