Bin collections were delayed yesterday after a North East Lincolnshire Council waste disposal crew discovered an unknown substance in a domestic bin.
Upon discovery, the liquid spilled across the back of the refuse vehicle and onto the road near a roundabout, leading to disruption and delays.
The incident raised significant concern, with crew members reporting that the substance had a strong smell of fuel or oil. However, it was unclear whether it was flammable or hazardous.
In a social media post shared on Wednesday, 30 April, a Council spokesperson said: “Today, the crews were emptying domestic waste when a resident placed a container holding an unidentified liquid—smelling of fuel, oil, or mechanical fluid—into their bin.
When compacted, the container burst, resulting in the following issues…”
The Council then outlined the consequences, including that a member of staff was put at risk of skin and eye injuries.
They continued: “Please ensure hazardous materials are disposed of appropriately and not placed in your domestic waste bin.
“Your cooperation is essential to safeguard our crew and maintain the efficiency of our services.”
As a result of the incident, a street cleansing team was deployed, and several collections were delayed while the vehicle was taken off-route for decontamination. A crew member also required replacement workwear and PPE.
(Images: NELC)
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.