Nearly 10 tonnes of waste had to be tipped out and checked following the incorrect disposal of an e-bike battery in Stanwix.
In a statement last Friday, Cumberland Council confirmed that the incident was ‘potentially serious’ for the waste crew, who found the e-bike battery on the verge of catching fire in the bin lorry.
The fire service was called to the scene, with the council reporting that the crew had acted ‘quickly and safely’, taking the vehicle back to the depot and ensuring the battery was removed.
However, close to 10 tonnes of waste needed to be expelled onto the depot floor and checked in case a fire had spread.
Cumberland Cllr Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said: ‘This incident is a stark reminder of just how dangerous it can be to put batteries in your household waste. What might seem like a small item can cause a very serious fire when it is crushed inside a bin lorry.’
She added: ‘Please don’t bin your batteries. Take a moment to check before putting something in your waste or recycling bin and dispose of batteries and electrical items through the appropriate recycling route.’
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Photo: © Cumberland Council.
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