Lithium-ion battery and vape-related fires and disposal
Case reference FOI2026/00888
Received 28 April 2026
Published 27 May 2026
Request
This is a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act.
For the period 1 June 2023 to the most recently recorded date, please provide the following, preferably with a monthly breakdown and in CSV/Excel format:
1. The total number of recorded fires at any site or during any stage of waste collection or processing involving lithium-ion batteries.
2. Of those, and if recorded, the number for which the suspected or recorded cause was vapes (of any type).
3. The quantity of vapes (of any type) or vape batteries found improperly disposed of in collected waste.
4. The total number of loads rejected, quarantined, or diverted because of improper e-waste disposal and, if held, the proportion of which is specifically attributed to vapes.
5. The total cost of improper e-waste disposal and, if held, the proportion of which is specifically attributed to vapes.
6. The quantity of vapes (of any type) collected properly as e-waste.
Response
Please find the answers to your queries below:
This is a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act.
For the period 1 June 2023 to the most recently recorded date, please provide the following, preferably with a monthly breakdown and in CSV/Excel format:
1. The total number of recorded fires at any site or during any stage of waste collection or processing involving lithium-ion batteries.
We do not hold this information. Guildford Borough Council does not operate any recycling centre sites – you would need to contact Surrey County Council to query this specifically in relation to the recycling sites. We do not hold data relating to vehicle fires and any that are reported to us do not typically have a specific cause identified. We are aware of one reported vehicle fire so far in 2026, but the fire service could not identify a cause of ignition.
2. Of those, and if recorded, the number for which the suspected or recorded cause was vapes (of any type).
N/A.
3. The quantity of vapes (of any type) or vape batteries found improperly disposed of in collected waste.
We do not hold a record of this information.
4. The total number of loads rejected, quarantined, or diverted because of improper e-waste disposal and, if held, the proportion of which is specifically attributed to vapes.
We do not hold a record of this information and we are not aware that a load has ever been rejected, quarantined or diverted specifically because of e-waste and/or vapes.
5. The total cost of improper e-waste disposal and, if held, the proportion of which is specifically attributed to vapes.
N/A.
6. The quantity of vapes (of any type) collected properly as e-waste.
We do not hold a record of this information.
Yours sincerely,
FOI Team
Guildford Borough Council
Documents
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