A waste centre that caught fire causing the M275 to shut has offered advice on the correct way to dispose of highly flammable batteries.

On Saturday, July 6, a blaze at TJ Waste & Recycling in Tipner Lane involved 117 tonnes of burning rubbish and caused smoke to billow across the M275.

This resulted in the M275 being shut for most of that weekend and the cause of the fire was believed to be due to the incorrect disposal of a lithium-ion battery.

On June 20, another blaze at a row of Gosport homes was also believed to have been caused by a lithium battery after an e-scooter was left on charge through the night.

Smoke from the fire billowed onto the M275Smoke from the fire billowed onto the M275 (Image: Submitted) Luke Haskell, general manager of TJ Waste & Recycling, has now issued advice of how to safely dispose of lithium-ion batteries.

He said: “Incorrect disposal of lithium-ion batteries can be catastrophic, as the fire at our Tipner Materials Recovery Facility on 6 July has demonstrated.

“While the exact cause has not been confirmed, fire crews suspect it is down to an incorrectly discarded lithium-ion battery igniting in our warehouse.

“The disposal of lithium-ion batteries is strictly prohibited in our skips and our third party tipping service, so the fact that our terms and conditions have been breached in this way is extremely disappointing and something that should be highlighted and addressed for future safety.”

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Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable devices, commonly used in a wide range of applications, from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.

Homes in Gosport were destroyed after an e-scooter was left on charge through the nightHomes in Gosport were destroyed after an e-scooter was left on charge through the night (Image: Submitted) The below is the advice from TJ Waste & Recycling on the correct way to dispose of lithium batteries:

Battery recycling facilities

You can take batteries to designated recycling centres that accept lithium-ion batteries.

These facilities are equipped to dismantle, process, and recycle the materials in lithium-ion batteries, extracting valuable metals like lithium, cobalt and nickel for reuse.

Take-back programmes

Many electronics retailers and manufacturers offer take-back programmes for used batteries. This ensures batteries are properly handled and recycled.

Household hazardous waste disposal

Your local Household Waste Recycling Centre should offer a hazardous waste collection programme that accepts lithium-ion batteries.

Check with your local waste centre for guidance. Alternatively, you can use a certified disposal services company that will comply with regulations and ensure safe handling of the batteries.