Monday August 17th 2026
Waste and Cleansing Operatives at the City of Edinburgh Council avoiding the fire
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Quick-thinking waste and cleansing operatives at the City of Edinburgh Council prevented a fire from taking hold in a waste lorry earlier this month.
Many everyday technology and electronic devices, including vapes, contain lithium-ion batteries which can cause fires when crushed in waste lorries and recycling centres.
An operative spotted rubbish smouldering in a general waste load collected from the Polwarth area of the city. The vehicle was immediately pulled over safely and the waste was emptied onto the street, allowing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to extinguish the incident quickly.
The council’s street cleansing team then disposed of the affected rubbish, while the waste lorry was taken for safety checks.
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said the incident highlighted the importance of disposing of batteries correctly.
He said: “I’d like to thank these colleagues for their quick actions as well as the fire service for stopping an actual fire from taking hold. This incident is an example of why residents must be vigilant in making sure batteries are disposed of correctly, so this doesn’t happen again.
“We’ve had several other incidents like this in the past and it’s important we highlight the potentially dangerous consequences that incorrect disposal of batteries can have for residents, the environment, and our colleagues.”
Information on how to safely dispose of and recycle vapes, batteries and cables is available through the City of Edinburgh Council website.
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