The blaze ignited within a 35-tonne pile of recyclables and rendered the entire collection unrecoverable. Firefighters from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service swiftly contained and extinguished the flames, but the damage—both to the materials and the broader waste stream—was already done.
“This incident serves as a reminder to us all of the importance of taking extra care when disposing of batteries,” said Cllr Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Transformation, the Environment and Customer Services, and Deputy Leader at Braintree District Council. “It is always worrying when we hear of a fire incident in the district and we would like to thank Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for their swift action.”
Watch Manager Darren Hockley confirmed that a lithium-ion battery was the most likely source of ignition:
“A fire investigation has been carried out, and we believe the cause was most likely a lithium-ion battery which had been disposed of incorrectly. I'd like to stress the importance of disposing of your lithium-ion batteries properly—not in a skip or with domestic household waste.”
The incident in Essex is not an isolated one. Across the UK and globally, waste transfer stations and recycling centers are increasingly grappling with fires caused by lithium-ion batteries improperly placed in household waste or recycling bins. According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there have been more than 240 fires in U.S. waste facilities linked to batteries in recent years.
When batteries are compressed, punctured, or exposed to high temperatures in waste piles, they can enter thermal runaway—a chain reaction that leads to intense heat and fire. Such fires not only endanger workers and first responders but also result in the loss of recyclable materials, contributing to greater environmental harm.
The Cordon’s Farm fire highlights several consequences:
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in mobile phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, and even children’s toys, require specialized handling and should never be disposed of in general waste. Local councils and waste authorities have established battery collection programs, but public participation remains inconsistent.
Experts emphasize that businesses and residents alike must take responsibility for battery end-of-life management. Certified battery recyclers such as Call2Recycle and Li-Cycle offer accessible options for commercial and municipal partners, while many retailers provide drop-off points for used batteries.
Watch Manager Hockley advised: “Always check with your local authority for suitable battery recycling arrangements in your area.”
As the use of lithium-ion batteries continues to grow in response to electrification and decarbonization efforts, a proactive approach to battery stewardship is essential. From establishing producer responsibility schemes to increasing public education and investing in fire prevention infrastructure at waste sites, stakeholders must work collaboratively to address this escalating risk.
For now, the fire in Braintree stands as a stark warning: without proper disposal, a single battery can derail sustainability efforts, jeopardize public safety, and reverse progress in waste reduction.
