Dorset Council Waste Services have experienced another fire in their recycling collection vehicles in Bridport this morning.
The crew managed to eject the load, saving the vehicle in the process. Firefighters from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue attended to extinguish the blaze.
Photos captured show the cause was a pack of batteries that were placed in a recycling bin. Fortunately, no-one was injured and – due to the quick actions of the collection crew – no damage was caused to the vehicle.
Dorset Council Waste Services have said on their Facebook page: “A lot of recyclable material has been lost, and waste crews will need to clean up the mess too.”
They continue to say: “Waste is crushed in the back of our vehicles after collection. When batteries – even dead ones – are crushed, they can catch fire. When surrounded by wastepaper, cardboard, and plastics, it’s a recipe for disaster.”
The advice is that batteries should be placed in a battery bag (or any other clear plastic bag) and left on top of your recycling bin, never inside it. Or you can recycle batteries at most supermarkets, or at household recycling centres.
Photos from Dorset Council Waste Services Facebook page.
