Vapes blamed for seven fires in two weeks at tip

Vapes have been blamed for seven fires in the last two weeks at a council tip.

The blazes have sparked a warning not to bin them at home but to dispose of them at recycling centres or supermarkets.

Wrexham council said the devices' lithium-ion batteries were to blame for igniting the rubbish at the recycling centre at Bryn Lane, on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

FCC Environment, which manages the facility, has installed new fire safety systems after insurance costs went up.

Gareth Jones, from the council's environment department, said: "I don't think people are aware of the dangers to staff and the building itself.

"There's also the financial impact as it causes a two-hour shutdown of the system after every fire."

Mr Jones said the council was exploring avenues to get rid of vapes and batteries safely.

He said: "We want to make sure as much waste is recycled as possible and that means separating batteries and vapes from general waste.

"Most supermarkets will have an option for you to drop them off. Failing that, they can bring them to household recycling centres to dispose of.

"We are considering alternative options we can offer within the council because of the seriousness of the situation and the frequency of these fires."

According to recycling campaigners Material Focus about five million disposable vapes are thrown away every week in the UK.

There are plans to ban single-use vapes in Wales from next April.

The Welsh government said this would cut their environmental impact.