One of Silves Council’s new rubbish collection trucks has been damaged by fire, prompting the Algarve municipality to appeal for greater care over what residents put into waste containers.
The incident happened during the night of Saturday, October 17, with the council attributing the fire to the incorrect disposal of waste that was still burning or highly flammable.
“Last night, one of Silves Council’s new waste collection trucks caught fire due to a lack of responsibility and civic-mindedness,” the municipality said in a statement published on social media.
According to the council, putting hot embers or highly flammable materials into rubbish containers not only caused damage to municipal equipment but also endangered the employees carrying out the collection.
“Depositing burning waste or highly flammable materials in containers even put the safety of workers at risk,” it warned.
The local authority used the incident to remind residents that proper separation and disposal of rubbish depends on cooperation from the whole community.
“The correct separation and disposal of waste is everyone’s responsibility, and cleanliness in the municipality will only improve when we are all able to play our part with care and responsibility,” it said.
The council ended its message by appealing for residents’ cooperation to prevent similar incidents.
Michael Bruxo
Journalist for the Portugal Resident.