Following a recent fire at Hawick Waste Transfer Station, residents are being reminded of the importance of disposing of batteries, vapes and other potentially hazardous items correctly.
How to dispose
Batteries should never be placed in general household waste or recycling bins, as they can cause fires when damaged or crushed.
Please ensure batteries are separated from other waste and disposed of safely at designated battery recycling points.
Councillor Jenny Linehan, Executive Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport
“While the recent incident at Hawick Waste Transfer Station was caused by a flare, it acts as a reminder of the importance of disposing of high-risk items safely.
“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.
“By following guidelines and using designated recycling points, residents can help reduce the risk of fires and keep our waste and recycling services safe.”
Guidance on what can be disposed of in household bins can be found on our website.