SPOKANE, Wash. — Two garbage trucks caught fire in the Spokane area Thursday afternoon. While the city does not know what caused these specific fires, it says most garbage truck fires are started by lithium ion batteries.
“We really have to pay attention to what we put in our waste stream because it can be very dangerous, especially with those lithium ion batteries,” said Spokane communications manager Kirstin Davis. “If something happens, they require a different response, it’s much more technical and much more dangerous.”
Fires started by lithium ion batteries can spread much faster than other fires, which could add up to major costs for the city if trucks are destroyed.
“Making sure that truck is emptied protects the truck from being out of service longer or having to be replaced. Those trucks are about $500,000 a piece,” Davis said.
It’s not just batteries that need special attention, but things like paint and aerosol cans as well.
The city has resources to help people understand what’s safe to throw away and what items need to be specially disposed of. The easiest way to know what is safe is to ask.
“The easiest thing to do is just to go to the household hazardous waste area at the transfer station or the waste to energy facility. They’ll tell you where to put everything when you show up,” said Davis.
For more information on what to do with potentially hazardous items, check out the following links:
Battery Smart SpokaneSpokane River Waste and Recycle Directory
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