Fire at Hawick waste station sparks warning over what you should and shouldn't put in your bins
We're being urged to take extra care when disposing of batteries and vapes.
It comes after firefighters were called out to deal with a small blaze at Hawick Waste Transfer Station.
Scottish Borders Council says batteries must never be put in general household waste or recycling bins.
They should instead be taken to designated battery recycling points.
When batteries are damaged or crushed during the waste collection and processing process, they can ignite and cause serious fires, the local authority is warning.
Councillor Jenny Linehan, SBC's Executive Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport, says the recent incident at Hawick Waste Transfer Station was caused by a flare, but should still serve as a reminder about the risks posed by hazardous items.
“Battery fires are becoming an increasingly frequent issue within the industry as well as locally, following a fire in a refuse collection vehicle in Coldstream last August, when fire crews were called to attend and extinguish the blaze," she added.
“By following guidelines and using designated recycling points, residents can help reduce the risk of fires and keep our waste and recycling services safe.”
Information on what can and cannot be placed in household bins is available on the Scottish Borders Council website.
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