Vape-Related Fire Incidents at Disposal Sites
Case reference FOI2026/00461
Received 23 February 2026
Published 9 March 2026
Request
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am writing to request information regarding incidents of fire at waste disposal facilities managed by your council, where the reported or suspected ignition source was the improper disposal of vaping devices (e.g., vapes/e-cigarettes containing lithium-ion batteries).
Please provide the following information in relation to your Household Waste Recycling Centre(s) (HWRCs) and any other waste disposal or recycling facilities managed by the council:
1. Total number of confirmed or suspected vape-related fire incidents at all council-managed facilities, from 1 January 2021 to the most recent date available.
2. For each year (calendar or financial year), a breakdown by facility of the number of vape-related fires reported.
Definitions and scope:
For clarity:
* “Vape” includes disposable and rechargeable e-cigarette devices, whether sold legally or otherwise, that contain lithium-ion batteries.
* “Vape-related fire incidents” include confirmed fires and incidents where a fire or ignition was suspected to have been caused by a vape or its battery during or following disposal.
Please provide the information in an electronic format where possible (e.g., Excel, CSV, PDF).
Response
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am writing to request information regarding incidents of fire at waste disposal facilities managed by your council, where the reported or suspected ignition source was the improper disposal of vaping devices (e.g., vapes/e-cigarettes containing lithium-ion batteries).
Please provide the following information in relation to your Household Waste Recycling Centre(s) (HWRCs) and any other waste disposal or recycling facilities managed by the council:
1. Total number of confirmed or suspected vape-related fire incidents at all council-managed facilities, from 1 January 2021 to the most recent date available.
2. For each year (calendar or financial year), a breakdown by facility of the number of vape-related fires reported.
Definitions and scope:
For clarity:
* “Vape” includes disposable and rechargeable e-cigarette devices, whether sold legally or otherwise, that contain lithium-ion batteries.
* “Vape-related fire incidents” include confirmed fires and incidents where a fire or ignition was suspected to have been caused by a vape or its battery during or following disposal.
Please provide the information in an electronic format where possible (e.g., Excel, CSV, PDF).
A: Our contractor has reviewed their records for the period from January 2021 to December 2025 inclusive, covering the Household Waste Recycling Centres, the two transfer stations, Envirosort and Envirocover. There have been no confirmed or suspected vape-related fire incidents in the time specified.
Documents
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