Keep Hot Materials Out Of Garbage Carts

Kirstin Davis, Communications Manager, 509.625.7773

Friday, July 1, 2022 at 9:26 a.m.

The City of Spokane Solid Waste Management Department is asking residents to refrain from placing hot materials, including fire or barbeque coals in their garbage carts, dumpsters, or other containers.

Already this year, solid waste has caught fire in City garbage trucks. When the solid waste load was examined for the cause of the fire, City employees discovered hot coals and were able to extinguish the fires.

“This message is important as we head into the July 4th Holiday weekend and summer season when people are enjoying outdoor cooking and recreation,” says Chris Averyt, the City's Solid Waste Management Director. “We want to protect the safety of our residents and employees.”

To be safe, treat all coals and ashes as if they are hot.  Even when cool to the touch, they can hold enough heat in their cores to start a fire.  Follow these tips before disposing them in your trash:

  • Allow ashes and coals to cool inside your grill or wood stove for several days
  • When ready for disposal, move them to a metal container and wet them down.  Set outside and away from your home or other combustibles.
  • On disposal day, bag up the wet coals and ashes and set in your container for collection or prior to self-hauling to the Waste to Energy Facility.

What Can the Public Do About Fireworks?
Residents can report violations by calling Crime Check at 509-456-2233. If you find or have fireworks, fire stations cannot accept them. Fireworks should be taken to the Waste to Energy Plant, at 2900 S. Geiger Blvd for NO COST disposal in the household hazardous waste area.

Spokane Fire Department encourages the community to celebrate safely by enjoying a public display provided by licensed Pyrotechnicians. Leave it to the professionals.