Dumfries and Galloway Council is urging people to keep batteries and vapes out of household waste and recycling bins following a fire in one of its waste collection vehicles.
The vehicle caught fire while undertaking paper and cardboard collections in Stranraer on Monday 9 November. Emergency services attended and brought the fire under control.
No employees were injured and the crew exited the vehicle safely. The vehicle sustained significant damage.
Early indications suggest that a discarded battery pack in the paper and cardboard load may have contributed to the fire. An investigation is underway, which will establish the full circumstances and identify the need for any further safety measures required.
We are issuing the reminder now to help protect collection crews and the public while that work takes place.
Batteries can cause fires if they are crushed or damaged during waste collection and processing. They must not be placed inside household waste or recycling bins, whether loose or contained in items such as vapes.
Councillor Andy Ferguson, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“Our employees should be able to carry out their work safely and return home safely. We are grateful that nobody was injured in this incident and our priority remains supporting the crew involved.
“Although the investigation will establish the circumstances, it is important that we highlight the risks now to help protect our employees and the public.”
Councillor Tony Berretti, Vice-Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“Please help protect the people collecting your waste by keeping batteries and vapes out of your household waste and recycling bins.
“Using the separate recycling arrangements available is a simple step that can help prevent fires and keep our crews and communities safe.”
People can help by using our separate collection arrangements:
- Household batteries: put accepted batteries in the council-provided pink battery recycling bag, seal it and leave it on top of your general waste or recycling bin or sack. Do not leave it on your food waste bin.
- Vapes and e-cigarettes: put these in a separate clear, sealable A5-sized plastic bag and leave it on top of your bin on your usual collection day. Do not put vapes in the pink battery bag or inside any bin.
- Larger batteries: take batteries that do not fit in the pink bag to a recycling centre.
Find out how to recycle batteries and recycle vapes and electronic cigarettes.