The Dare County Public Works Department is reminding residents and visitors about the importance of properly disposing of hazardous materials after three fires occurred inside sanitation collection trucks over the past month. These recent incidents serve as an important reminder that certain items should never be placed in residential trash carts or commercial dumpsters due to the serious fire risks they pose when compacted inside garbage trucks or at solid waste facilities.

Many common household items—including batteries, electronics, aerosol cans, household chemicals and flammable liquids—can ignite, spark or explode when crushed during the trash collection process. These types of fires, often referred to as “hot loads,” place sanitation workers, firefighters, residents, businesses and surrounding property at risk.

“Our Sanitation Division has experienced three fires in the back of trash trucks in the past month alone,” said Dare County Public Works Director Shanna Fullmer. “Fortunately, no one was hurt and damage to the sanitation trucks was minimal, but these incidents highlight how important it is for everyone to properly dispose of hazardous materials and items that can easily ignite or react during collection.”

Common Trash Fire Hazards

Among the most common causes of trash fires are:

• Batteries of any kind, especially lithium-ion batteries (read more about the specific fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries)
• Paints, solvents and oil-based products
• Household disinfectants and chemicals
• Pool and garden chemicals
• Vapes and e-cigarettes
• Phones, tablets, laptops, power banks and chargers
• Aerosol cans
• Propane cylinders and fuel containers
• Gasoline, kerosene and other combustible liquids
• Motor oil and oily rags
• Flammable liquids, such as hand sanitizers
• Hot ashes and charcoal coals

Dare County Public Works reminds citizens that many items that appear harmless can become dangerous once compacted inside a sanitation truck. Damaged lithium-ion batteries, for example, can overheat and ignite when crushed. Household chemicals such as bleach, ammonia and paint thinner can also react when mixed with other materials, creating fires, toxic fumes or even explosions.

Additionally, residents and visitors are advised to use caution when disposing of fireplace ashes, grilling coals and fire pit debris. Ashes and coals can retain heat for several days and may ignite surrounding trash even when they appear cold. Residents are encouraged to allow ashes and coals to cool completely for several days before disposal.

Environmental Hazards

In addition to the items listed above that can ignite and result in trash fires, the improper disposal of hazardous materials can also have significant environmental impacts—particularly in the environmentally sensitive Outer Banks region. Chemicals, fuels, batteries and other hazardous waste can leak into the soil and area waterways if not disposed of correctly, potentially harming wildlife, contaminating water sources and damaging the coastal environment.

Additional items that should never be placed in residential trash cans or commercial dumpsters include:

• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Automotive fluids and automotive batteries
• Unknown chemicals or substances
• Sharps, needles and syringes
• Medications
• Electronic waste such as televisions, computers and cell phones

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event: May 14-16, 2026

To help citizens safely dispose of hazardous materials, the Dare County Public Works Department will host a free three-day Household Hazardous Waste Collection event from Friday, May 14, 2026 to Saturday, May 16, 2026. During the event, Dare County residents and property owners may safely dispose of a variety of household hazardous materials at any of three designated collection sites throughout the county—Kitty Hawk, Buxton and Manteo—as follows.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Schedule

Thursday, May 14, 2026, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kitty Hawk Town Hall 101 Veterans Memorial Drive, Kitty Hawk

Friday, May 15, 2026, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Buxton Transfer Station 47015 Buxton Back Road, Buxton 

Saturday, May 16, 2026, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dare County Public Works 1018 Driftwood Drive, Manteo

Accepted Materials: 

Accepted materials include paints, polishes, varnishes, household cleaners, pool chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, automotive fluids, automotive batteries, fuel additives, gasoline, mercury, fluorescent lightbulbs, aerosol cans, small batteries and other common household hazardous waste items.

The free event is open to Dare County residents, property owners and members of the agricultural community within Dare County. Residents and property owners may use whichever collection location is most convenient for them.

Dare County officials encourage residents and property owners to take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of hazardous materials rather than placing them in residential trash cans or commercial dumpsters.

For more information about proper disposal methods or the upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collection event, click here to watch a short video. Questions? Contact the Dare County Public Works Department at 252-475-5843.