In the period 1 January 2016 to 4 March 2021, there have been 228 fires in Norwegian waste facilities. This corresponds to about one fire every eight days for the past five years, writes NRK.
– These fires are a risk to life and health. And it can cause long-term pollution damage, says Cecilie Lind in Avfall Norge.
According to the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB), fires can cause emissions of toxic fumes, and long-term extinguishing efforts can lead to discharges of fire foam and extinguishing water that pollute the environment.
Batteries that are thrown away incorrectly are one of the most common reasons why waste facilities can catch fire, Lind says.
– We see that people throw batteries in ordinary waste. And they self-ignite, simply. Then you can get an explosive fire, says Lind.
She encourages everyone to tape the poles to the battery, put them in a jam jar, and then deliver them to a recycling station or store where they receive batteries.
Fillers from renovations, wood chips and organic material also pose a fire hazard at the waste facilities.
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