Hazardous waste sparks truck fire

A recent fire on a recycling truck serves as a serious reminder that hazardous materials do not belong in curbside carts.

It is suspected that the fire may have been caused by a metal fuel filter improperly placed in a curbside recycling cart. Hazardous materials are increasingly showing up in curbside carts, at the landfill and recycling sorting facility. These items can ignite or explode during collection or processing, putting workers, equipment, facilities and the public at risk.

In the Central Okanagan, hazardous waste must never be placed in curbside recycling or garbage carts, construction site bins or dropped off at the Glenmore Landfill, transfer stations or collection depots. These materials pose significant risks, including fires, explosions and environmental damage.

Hazardous waste includes anything corrosive, flammable or poisonous, from clearly labeled chemical containers to less obvious items such as:

• E-cigarette batteries
• Metal automobile fuel filters
• Small power tools and rechargeable batteries
• Smoke alarms
• Children’s toys containing batteries
• Propane tanks

Dispose of hazardous waste safely at approved facilities like Battery Doctors/Kelowna Recycling at 1972 Windsor Road, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information visit rdco.com/provincial-take-back-programs or visit rdco.com/hazwaste.

Let’s work together to protect our community and the environment by properly disposing of hazardous items.