The overview
Since 2023, trash fires have damaged five Plano garbage trucks, with two back in service and three trucks completely destroyed, according to Plano Environmental Waste Services Superintendent Steve Funk. It takes 12-18 months and costs roughly $400,000 to replace a truck, according to Funk.
The most recent fire was in early January, Funk said. The truck has since been repaired and put back in service, but three other trucks have been completely destroyed in fires. Plano has replaced one truck and is currently replacing the other two. At $400,000 a piece for new trucks, plus repairs to the other two, the damage clears $1.2 million.
There are no reports of garbage truck fire-related injuries in Plano, according to Funk.
Explained
Lithium batteries can catch fire when a battery cell is crushed or punctured by collection equipment, releasing heat and toxic, flammable gas, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.
While lithium batteries are a common cause of fires, other flammable material include barbecue charcoal and pool chemicals, Funk said.
Funk said the fires are “totally preventable,” and advised residents “search for proper disposal stations like Home Depot” to get rid of batteries. Many Home Depot locations work with environmental nonprofit Call 2 Recycle to provide battery recycling stations, according to Home Depot’s website.
Plano also runs a hazardous chemical collection service that can dispose of several different hazardous materials including pool chemicals, which can catch fire when mixed, and car batteries, accessible on the city’s website.
