Subj : Vapes, batteries spark nine rubbish truck fires in Auckland
To   : All
From : News
Date : Tue May 21 2024 12:23 pm

Lithium batteries, disposable vapes, and other electronics caused nine
rubbish and recycling truck fires in Auckland during first three months of
this year, the council says.


In a statement this morning, Auckland Council reported there had been more
rubbish truck fires in the first quarter of this year than the whole of last
year.


Three of the nine trucks were badly damaged and had to be pulled from service
for repairs.


Auckland Council general manager of waste solutions Parul Sood said the "main
culprits" of the fires were likely lithium batteries, disposable vapes, and
other electrical items thrown in kerbside collection bins.


The batteries used in electronics could rupture or short-circuit while being
compacted, causing them to catch fire.


"When a fire sparks in the back of a truck, drivers must act fast to follow
safety protocols, which often involves them ejecting the load onto the road
for Fire and Emergency New Zealand to extinguish," Sood said.


"Rubbish truck fires also inconvenience Aucklanders because the road gets
cordoned off while the fire is extinguished and the waste is safely removed,
causing major hold-ups.


"Having up to 8-cubic metres of rubbish or recycling dumped in the street
poses risks to people and the environment, and these fires are entirely
preventable."

Sood urged Aucklanders to properly dispose of potentially hazardous waste -
and to check the council website for instructions on safe and appropriate
disposal.


Items that couldn't be put in a kerbside collection bin included vapes, car
batteries, electric scooters, jumpstart packs, aerosols - paint and butane
canisters, gas bottles - and lithium batteries and devices containing these
batteries.


Fire and Emergency New Zealand risk reduction and investigations manager
Peter Gallagher said: "Some people might not be aware of the serious risks
that some household items pose."

"Correct disposal is essential for any hazardous items, including
battery-powered or electrical devices.


"We encourage people to do the right thing and dispose of these items
correctly to keep themselves and everyone else safe."

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