Spike in gas 'mini-bombs' after storm power cuts

There's been a spike in camping gas canisters ending up at recycling facilities in Cornwall following the power cuts caused by Storm Goretti.

Hurricane-force winds in January left 57,000 people without electricity, and many turned to camping stoves and gas heaters while they waited to be reconnected.

Council bosses said some empty gas canisters have been ended up in kerbside collections - sparking fears of fires and explosion when they are crushed into bales at recycling facilities.

One waste manager in Cornwall said: "In essence they are 'mini-bombs'."

The risk gas canisters pose had already been documented on Cornwall Council's website when four fires at the Materials Recycling Facility in Bodmin occurred in one month alone in September.

Loic Rich, Cornwall Council's waste portfolio holder, said: "I understand that down to power cuts during Storm Goretti more people had been using gas canisters.

"I would kindly ask please do not leave them for the kerbside collection due to the risk of fires.

"I would kindly ask for them to be returned empty to the shop you had bought them from or take them to the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) and ask for a member of staff who will help you," he said.

Rich added that aerosols, such as hairspray or air fresheners could be placed in red recycling bags but not anything that contains a flammable liquid.

These again would have to be taken to the HWRC.

Suez manages the recycling of household waste in partnership with Cornwall Council and other local organisations and has two materials recycling facilities in Bodmin and in Pool, near Redruth.

Suez contract manager Mark Hillson said: "Batteries are one of the biggest fire risks to the UK waste industry at the moment... the other big no-no is gas canisters or nitrous oxide canisters as they present a significant risk of explosion, in essence they are mini-bombs."

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