UK resource management company, Veolia, has launched a national campaign to address a critical issue: the rise of preventable fires caused by improper disposal of hazardous waste.
Averaging one fire per day, these incidents are putting Veolia’s workers and the public at risk, as well as damaging essential recycling infrastructure.
Many fires originate from residents unknowingly placing dangerous items like vapes, electrical devices, batteries, and gas canisters in their household bins.
When these items are crushed during collection, they can ignite, leading to dangerous fires in refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) and waste management facilities.
Veolia, which handles around 500 million collections annually, warns that these avoidable fires are occurring across the UK, endangering lives and causing significant damage to vital infrastructure.
“These Fires Are Preventable”
Cory Reynolds, Veolia’s Director of Corporate Affairs for the UK and Northern Europe Zone, emphasizes the importance of safety: “At Veolia, safety is our top priority. This campaign aims to educate the public on how simple changes in waste disposal can significantly reduce the risk of fires in our operations, keeping both our teams and the communities we serve safe.”
Veolia’s campaign highlights four commonly mishandled items that pose serious risks:
- Vapes: These should be returned to retailers, not disposed of in household bins or on-street litter bins.
- Electrical Items: Devices with batteries, plugs, or hidden batteries—like toys or toothbrushes—should be recycled at dedicated facilities. Residents can find local recycling points at recyclenow.com/recycling-locator.
- Batteries: These can also be recycled at designated drop-off points, which are easily located at recyclenow.com/recycling-locator.
- Gas Canisters and Bottles: These should be safely handled and taken to local Household Reuse and Recycling Centres.
The campaign features real-life footage of fires caused by improperly disposed items, driving home the importance of proper waste disposal. These fires not only put collection crews at risk of burns, chemical exposure, and smoke inhalation but also harm the environment by damaging recycling facilities.
