LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — More than 5,000 fires are reported by waste and recycling centers across the U.S. each year.

Lincoln saw two just this week, both caused by discarded disposal vapes.

“Ever since the disposable battery vapes came out, it caused a large problem for us haulers and also processors,” said Melissa Littrell, director of organics and sustainability for Uribe Refuse.

These disposable vapes are single-use electronic cigarettes containing nicotine and a lithium battery.

When discarded with regular trash, those batteries can leak a flammable substance once crushed.

Littrell added that can cause fires in garbage trucks and processing facilities.

The trucks at Uribe Refuse do not contain fire alarms, and many drivers are only alerted to a truck fire when they see smoke.

If

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