Islanders told not to dispose of fire risk items in general waste

Douglas Button said handing the fire risk items over was safer and free.

Islanders are being urged not to dispose of items which could pose a fire risk in their general waste.

Guernsey Waste said there had been about 40 fires in the past four years at the waste transfer station.

Seven of those fires were linked to the incorrect disposal of flares.

Minimisation and sustainability officer, Douglas Button, said the 'Check Before You Chuck' campaign aimed to eliminate the disposal of high risk items in household waste all together.

Guernsey Waste said e-cigarettes, vapes, electronic items, flares, gas canisters, laptops, and mobile phones should never be disposed of in household general waste or recycling bags.

Last year's campaign resulted in the safe return and disposal of hundreds of flares and electrical items.

Mr Button said handing the fire risk items over was safer and free.

"Fortunately it has not led to any injury as the equipment on site is quite capable of dealing with fires," he said.

"However, it can lead to a loss of equipment and it's a massive health and safety risk for the guys working on site."