Vape Goes in the Bin, Bin Lorry Goes Up in Smoke, Wokingham Council Issue Battery Warning

A waste collection lorry in Wokingham caught fire after a discarded vape was believed to have sparked the blaze, prompting a warning about the dangers of putting battery powered items in house hold rubbish. According to Wokingham Borough Council, the fire was discovered by the waste collection crew while the lorry was operating. The crew drove the vehicle back to the depot and contacted Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The load of smouldering rubbish was then removed from the lorry while firefighters worked to extinguish the fire. Once the flames had been put out, a thermal imaging camera was used to check the waste for remaining hotspots and ensure there was no further risk of the fire reigniting. The council said no one was injured in the incident, which happened on Tuesday. However, the fire has highlighted the potential risks associated with incorrectly disposing of batteries and battery-powered devices. Items such as vapes can contain lithium ion batteries, which can become damaged or ignite when they are crushed or compacted during the waste collection and processing process. Wokingham Borough Council has therefore urged residents to keep batteries and battery powered items out of house hold rubbish bin. Instead, residents are advised to take such items to a recycling centre or to a retailer that provide suitable battery and electrical recycling facilities. The incident serves as a reminder that something as small as a discarded vape can create a serious problem once it enters the waste stream. With house hold rubbish regularly being compacted inside collection vehicles, incorrectly disposed batteries can pose a fire risk not only to waste crews and vehicles but potentially to waste facilities as well. The council warning is straightforward- battery powered items should not go into ordinary household rubbish. They should be disposed of through appropriate recycling channels.