Vapes warning after fires in recycling centre

People have been warned not to dispose of used vapes in their household bins after more than 60 fires at a recycling centre.

Lincolnshire County Council said the blazes at the site near Grantham were caused by electronic devices containing batteries.

Last year, seven tonnes of burning rubbish had to be dumped from a bin lorry onto a road in Lincolnshire after a discarded vape was believed to have set it alight.

The council has introduced a dedicated battery recycling scheme at its 11 waste disposal sites.

Rachel Stamp, waste manager at the county council, said the term "disposable vape" was misleading.

"All vapes contain a battery, and if you throw them in your bin, they can be damaged during processing which causes a spark that can start a fire," she said.

“General waste and recycling gets compacted a number of times on its journey from your home to the energy from waste plant or recycling centre, and it takes just one battery or vape to set the whole load alight.”

'Difficult to extinguish'

The council said up to 5 million vapes were thrown away in the UK every week.

Dan Moss from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Fires at waste sites or in vehicles can often be difficult to extinguish, and can have serious effects on the environment, and the safety of firefighters and local communities.

"As waste is compacted and bulked together, there’s plenty of material for fire to spread quickly, and, depending on the type of waste burning, the fumes can be dangerous."

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