Gas bottles threat to collection crews

EXPLOSION RISK: Graeme McPhail checks gas bottles found in CCC wheelie bins.

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Gas bottles thrown into wheelie bins could explode when compacted inside rubbish-collection trucks, the Christchurch City Council warns.

A gas bottle is found in a red or yellow wheelie bin nearly every day – prompting this week's council-education campaign.

Letters detailing disposal methods will be sent to property owners.

Council water and waste unit manager Mark Christison said the problem was not only a health and safety concern, but highlighted that people did not know the correct gas bottle-disposal method.

"Putting any gas bottle in your bin could potentially be fatal," he said.

"If gas bottles have even the smallest amount of gas left in them and are then tipped into a collection truck and compacted, there is a serious chance of them exploding."

Christison was concerned so many gas-bottle types were being put in the bins. All used gas bottles – including small, camping-style bottles – should be taken to an EcoDepot transfer or refuse station for free disposal.

Repeat offenders could have their bins confiscated. Eight bins had been taken off residents since the kerbside collection began about a year ago.

Green organics bins had contained plastic bags and general rubbish, while a yellow recycling bin contained hot ashes.

Property owners could apply to get their bins back, but had to pay the replacement costs, which ranged from $90 for one bin to $112.50 for all three.

Collectors left a sticker on any offending bins.

BIN SINS

Bizarre items left in the yellow recycling bin:

Bandsaw blade

Gearbox

Clothing

Garden hoses

Seatbelts

Source: Christchurch City Council

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