FOI Request - Lithium-ion Battery and Vape-related Fires and Disposal

Request 101003988142

For the period 1 June 2023 to the most recently recorded date, please provide the following:

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 19-05-2026

1. 4 small fires in total within our waste transfer hall (1 in June 2024, 1 in June 2025, 1 in July 2025, 1 in December 25).

2. Not held. Cause unknown on all 4 fires. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.

3. Not held. We do not monitor this. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.

4. None

5. No cost to us for e-waste disposal, done through REPIC scheme

6. We have only recently started collecting Vapes as a separate waste stream so no tonnage figures available yet. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.