TAMPA, Fla. – As temperatures rise this summer, there is an increased risk of hazardous materials disposed of improperly heating up and causing fires within trash bins and garbage trucks.
The City of Tampa is seeing a recent trend in “hot loads” during the spring and summer months.
‘Hot loads’ is a term used to describe spontaneous combustions and fires occurring inside trash or recycling trucks due to overheating lithium-ion batteries, chemicals, cleaning solutions, propane tanks or electronics improperly disposed of in bins.
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Video footage of a recent hot load that occurred on June 30, 2023, on the 2000 block of W Azeele Street was shared by the City of Tampa.
At a press conference planned for Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 10:30 am at the McKay Bay Transfer Station, Mayor Jane Castor, joined by Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp and Tampa Solid Waste Program Superintendent Latrice Underwood, will detail alternative, safer options for residents to dispose of hazardous waste.
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