Stevenage residents have been urged to stop disposing of batteries in household bins after three nearly caught fire in a waste vehicle yesterday (September 3).
The incident took place at the Cavendish Road depot when the vehicle arrived with a smell of smoke coming from the rear.
Its contents were quickly emptied and three burning batteries were found, with a fire narrowly avoided.
This follows another incident in which lithium battery that was found smouldering in a refuse vehicle on August 21.
Councillor Rob Broom, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: "Unfortunately, fires in refuse and recycling vehicles are on the increase and they pose a serious safety risk to our crews, officers and to the public.
"Our message is clear: batteries do not belong in your kerbside refuse and recycling containers. Please dispose of them responsibly, either at a recycling centre, supermarket collection point or through a retailer takeback scheme."
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in portable electronics and electric vehicles, but when placed in kerbside recycling or refuse containers, there is a risk of them being damaged and igniting a fire.
Electrical items and batteries can be safely and correctly disposed of at Stevenage Recycling Centre, local collection points at supermarkets, and takeback schemes with retailers.
Residents can find out more about disposing electrical items online at www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk.
