麻豆AV

A recent fire in a recycling truck is serving as a wake-up call about the dangers of tossing hazardous materials into curbside recycling bins.

Around 10:20 a.m. on July 23, the 麻豆AV Fire Department (KFD) received calls of a recycling truck on fire in the 300 block of Ziprick Road. It鈥檚 believed a metal fuel filter, incorrectly placed in a household recycling cart, may have caused the fire.

Thankfully, no one was injured, but the Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) is reminding residents that these types of incidents can easily be avoided.

鈥淭hese items can ignite or explode during collection or processing, putting workers, equipment, facilities and the public at risk,鈥� the RDCO said in a media release.

Hazardous materials, including batteries, fuel containers, propane canisters and small power tools, are turning up more often in recycling carts, landfills, and even at sorting facilities, where the potential for fires and explosions is high.

In the Central Okanagan, these items are never allowed in recycling or garbage bins, construction site containers, or at the Glenmore Landfill or transfer stations.

Hazardous waste includes anything corrosive, flammable, or poisonous, even if it doesn鈥檛 look dangerous at first glance. This includes:

• E-cigarette batteries
• Metal automotive fuel filters
• Smoke alarms
• Power tools and rechargeable batteries
• Toys with built-in batteries
• Propane canisters

Improper disposal of these items not only puts sanitation workers at risk but also causes costly damage to collection trucks and facilities. Fires can spread quickly in densely packed areas.

The RDCO urges residents to use proper disposal services, like Battery Doctors/麻豆AV Recycling at 1972 Windsor Road, which is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit the .