Interactive installation to tour East London, helping residents spot hidden batteries and recycle electrical devices safely
New research launched today by East London Waste Authority (ELWA) estimates that 48 million* batteries and small electrical items were incorrectly put in household bins, rather than dedicated recycling points, in the capital last year, despite 47% of Londoners being “fully aware” that this action can cause fires in bin lorries or waste facilities.
The polling by Censuswide found that 57% of the 1,000 London residents interviewed have disposed of at least one small electrical item in their household rubbish over the past 12 months, despite many containing hidden lithium-ion batteries which can ignite when crushed in waste collection vehicles or recycling facilities. Just under three in five Londoners (59%) admitted the same for loose batteries, the incorrect disposal of which poses similar risks.
The findings come as ELWA launches the ‘HypnoCube’ an eye-catching new installation featuring educational games and the Recycle Your Electricals mascot ‘HypnoCat’, which will tour ELWA’s partnering boroughs from 28 July to 26 August. The HypnoCube was built by Kind Cycle, the successful winners of a design competition launched by ELWA and Material Focus earlier this year. The installation was designed to help residents identify products containing hidden batteries, understand the risks associated with incorrect disposal and learn how to recycle them.
Battery fires have become an increasing concern for waste and recycling operators across the UK. Hidden lithium-ion batteries found in everyday items such as vapes, headphones, toys, electric toothbrushes, phones and e-scooters can become damaged when placed in household bins, potentially causing fires when crushed during collection or processing. Over the past two years, East London waste disposal facilities have seen an increase in fires, from 229 (24/25) to 350 (25/26). While it is often difficult to determine the exact cause of each fire, it is thought that most have been caused by batteries.
More than a third of the survey participants (35%) said they were only somewhat aware of the fire risks, while 17% are completely unaware.
Nearly a quarter of Londoners said they don’t know where to take small electrical items and batteries to be recycled properly (23%), while the same proportion said there is no convenient drop-off point near their home (23%).
Uncertainty around disposal is also leading many Londoners to hold onto unwanted electricals rather than recycle them. Nearly two-thirds (63%) have at least one small electrical item sitting in a drawer, cupboard or bag awaiting disposal, while 18–24-year-olds have an average of more than four unwanted electrical items stored at home.
Encouragingly, the research shows there is a strong appetite among Londoners to learn more about battery recycling and to take action. More than three in five (61%) said they would change the way they dispose of batteries if they better understood the risks.
Support for further public education is also very strong, with 80% backing a London-wide campaign to improve battery recycling and 72% saying clearer information on drop-off locations would make it easier for them to recycle batteries correctly.
To help residents in Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, & Redbridge better understand battery fire risks and encourage them to take their items to their nearest drop-off point using the Recycle Your Electricals locator, ELWA will be launching a roadshow on 28 July. Accompanied by battery-themed costumed characters, the colourful, interactive, giant ‘HypnoCube’ will visit parks, community events and local venues, teaching electrical reuse, repair and recycling tips through carnival style games.
Cllr Jo Blackman, Chair of East London Waste Authority said: “When batteries or small electrical items are wrongly put in a bin at home, there is a real risk that a fire can start in a bin lorry or at one of our waste facilities, putting frontline workers in danger. The good news is that Londoners want to do the right thing. Our research shows people are willing to change how they recycle once they understand the risks and know where to take unwanted batteries and electricals.
“That’s why we’re excited to bring our new roadshow to communities across East London this summer. We want to help people spot the hidden batteries in everyday items, understand why it matters to dispose of them correctly and help them to understand where and how they can do that. A small change at home can make a big difference to the safety of frontline staff, while also helping to reduce the costs and operational disruption caused by fires.”
Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus said: “We are pleased to support the launch of the HypnoCube project that helps address the pressing issue of e-waste. This eye-catching installation will help to raise awareness of electrical waste and battery fires and how the residents of east London can recycle their electricals. We have already taken a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for more than 12 million people in the UK to reuse and recycle their electricals. Anything with a plug, battery or cable, can be re-used, donated, or recycled”
Richard Field, London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, said: “Our crews see first-hand the dangers and risks that incorrectly disposed of batteries can have. We continue to be called out to fires involving waste collection vehicles; some of which can take a considerable amount of time to resolve and often results in waste temporarily piled high in residential streets. When fires occur at waste disposal sites or recycling centres, the consequences can be even greater because there are huge amounts of flammable materials present. These fires can often be very time consuming to extinguish and can have a detrimental impact on the local environment and community. We suspect that lithium-ion batteries are responsible for a significant amount of these types of fires and urge everyone to take care and dispose of the batteries properly.”
Orjon De Roo from Kind Cycle said: “At Kind Cycle, we believe the experiences people remember are the ones that inspire lasting change. That’s why we created the HypnoCube, an interactive experience that sparks curiosity, starts conversations and helps people discover the hidden batteries in everyday items. By creating memorable moments, we encourage simple actions that become lasting habits, helping to protect our environment. We’re proud to have helped bring the HypnoCube to communities across East London this summer, inspiring people of all ages to recycle more hidden batteries and make a positive difference together.”
ELWA’s installation tour forms part of the waste authority’s ongoing partnership with Material Focus and will be visiting the following locations:
- Redbridge
- South Park, South Park Road Ilford, IG1 1XU
- Greener Together Family Learning Day & launch event
- 28 July – 10am – 2pm
- Barking & Dagenham
- Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, Althorne Way, Dagenham RM10 7FH
- 13 August – 10am – 2pm
- Newham
- East Ham Library, 328 Barking Road, East Ham, London E6 2RT
- 18 August – 10am-2pm
- Havering
- Queens Theatre Green, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1AX
- Community Fun Day
- 26 August – 12pm-2pm