Wiltshire Council is urging residents not to put batteries in household bins or recycling containers after three fires at waste and recycling sites across the county in the past fortnight.
The incidents occurred at sites in Lower Compton, Warminster and Stanton St Quintin and are believed to have been caused by batteries that had been disposed of incorrectly.
The council says batteries and electrical items containing batteries can become dangerous when they are crushed, punctured, shredded or exposed to liquids during the waste and recycling process, increasing the risk of fire or explosion.
Residents are being reminded that batteries should never be placed in any bin. Instead, they can be recycled at designated battery collection points at Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) or through Wiltshire Council's kerbside battery collection service.
Under the scheme, unwanted batteries can be placed in a sealed clear sandwich bag and left on top of a blue-lidded bin or beside a blue recycling sack on collection day.
Electrical items containing batteries should also be disposed of correctly. If a battery cannot be safely removed, the item should be taken to a Household Recycling Centre and placed in the designated electricals container, or put out for the council's small electricals collection service if it is smaller than a shoebox.
Leader of Wiltshire Council Cllr Ian Thorn said: "Batteries, including those in vapes, pose a growing fire risk if not disposed of correctly.
"This has been highlighted by recent fires at our Warminster, Stanton St Quintin and Lower Compton sites, believed to have been caused by batteries.
"These incidents show how quickly fires can start in our vehicles, waste transfer stations and HRCs, putting staff at risk and disrupting vital services.
"We thank the site teams and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service for their swift response, ensuring the incidents were brought under control safely.
"Battery-related fires are increasing nationwide. By disposing of batteries correctly, residents can help protect staff, services and the community."
Group Manager Shaun Milton, from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said batteries can become dangerous if they are damaged, overcharged, short-circuited or exposed to water.
He added: "We urge everyone to follow the guidance about the safe disposal of batteries, so we can reduce the risk of fires at recycling centres."
Wiltshire Council is encouraging residents to take advantage of the recycling services available to help prevent further incidents.
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