Warning on battery and vape disposal after after blaze on bin lorry

Awarning has been issued for householders to dispose of rubbish correctly – or risk the potential for dangerous consequences.

This comes after a South Kesteven District Council waste freighter was forced to dump its blazing load in the street when an electrical item was suspected to have sparked a fire on board.

The waste collection team was unharmed in the emergency –thought to have been caused by a disposable vape or small battery item.

Cllr Rhys Baker, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, said: “Please help keep bin crews and other refuse workers safe by disposing of any items with a battery inside properly.

“Waste is compacted several times on its journey from home to the energy from waste plant or recycling centre, and it takes just one battery to create a spark that can set the whole load alight.

“Anything with batteries inside, or with a plug, should not go in household bins and needs to be recycled separately.

“Single use vapes have a battery so they can't just go in the bin; they need to be taken to a household waste recycling centre where they can be recycled properly.

“For a refillable vape, you can pop the batteries out and take them to the local council tip.

“You can also recycle household batteries at local supermarkets, an electrical retailer or recycling centre.”

The incident happened on Grantham Road, Ingoldsby, where three fire engines were in attendance and police closed the road while the fire was fully put out and the waste could safely be removed. The fire was spotted quickly and the correct action taken. The driver safely ejected seven tonnes of recycling waste, waste that unfortunately could not go for recycling.

Across Lincolnshire, there have been several instances of carelessly discarded electronics. A Lincoln bin lorry had to shed its load onto a city street after a battery caught fire in the back. And in Boston, an electrical appliance caused a fire in a collection vehicle in April.

Battery recycling points can now be found at most supermarkets, and electronics and batteries –including car batteries – can be www.southkesteven. gov.uk/whichbin recycled at local household waste recycling centres.

See what you can recycle at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre and find details of your nearest site by visiting www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/recycle