Highland Council warning after householders cause “multiple” explosions at an East Lothian energy plant by dumping gas canisters in wheelie bins
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Highland householders are being blamed for causing a series of explosions at an East Lothian energy plant.
The dumping of gas canisters in green wheelie bins has led to damage to the Dunbar Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) which every year turns 325,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste into renewable energy.
Highland Council received a complaint from its contractors after “multiple” explosions over the last few days.
A spokesman for the council said: “We have been notified by our energy from waste contractor, Viridor, that they are receiving helium canisters in the waste collected from households in the Highland region.
“They have informed us that there have been multiple gas bottle explosions over the last few days at Dunbar ERF, which is causing concern and damage to the plant.
“Please do not dispose of helium canisters in your household bin.
“Please take them to a Household Waste Recycling Centre and ask the site attendant where to dispose of them.”
The £177 million ERF was built at an existing recycling complex at Dunbar by a B&W Vølund and Interserve Joint Venture through an engineering, procure, and construct contract and became operational in 2019.
