Bin truck fire burned two weeks’-worth of recycling, says Eastbourne council

The council said the fire is believed to have been caused by an old phone or battery laptop being ‘carelessly’ thrown into a household bin.

According to EBC, the fire broke out in a collection truck in Ringmer and damaged around five tonnes of recyclables, which could not be recycled.

The council are now urging people to dispose of old batteries safely after three fires in bin collection trucks have been recorded over the last month.

Fires break out in bin collection trucks in Wealden after battery explosions

Councillor Jonathan Dow, said, “It is lucky no-one was hurt in these fires. Dumping old batteries in household waste bins is dangerous and can cause fires, putting lives at risk.

“Please get rid of them safely – it takes very little effort.”

Most non-rechargeable batteries can be recycled at supermarkets and other shops, while rechargeable batteries and electrical appliances can be taken to Household Waste Reycling Sites to be disposed of in a safe way.

To find local places to safely recycle old batteries, visit recyclenow.com/local-recycling

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