Summary
On April 14, 2026, a garbage collection truck fire occurred in Adachi Ward (足立区) caused by a heated tobacco product mixed into plastic waste. Adachi Ward has issued a public safety advisory to residents.
Key Points from the Official Notice
- According to Adachi Ward’s official notice, the fire on April 14, 2026 was caused by a heated tobacco product that had been placed in plastic waste.
- According to the official notice, the primary cause of garbage truck fires is lithium-ion batteries found in items such as mobile batteries and heated tobacco products, which can ignite under pressure or impact when compacted by the collection vehicle.
- According to the official notice, when a collection truck catches fire, it can cause collection delays, danger to roads, nearby residents, and collection workers, as well as total loss of the vehicle.
- According to the official notice, small rechargeable batteries including lithium-ion batteries must never be mixed into burnable garbage or plastic waste, and products containing them cannot be collected as regular garbage.
What Users Should Check
- Never place products containing lithium-ion batteries — such as mobile batteries or heated tobacco products — into burnable garbage or plastic waste.
- Check the correct disposal method on Adachi Ward’s official page for “How to Dispose of Small Rechargeable Batteries Including Lithium-Ion Batteries.”
For the most current and accurate information, always check the official page.
Source
- Adachi Ward Official | [Safety Advisory] A Garbage Truck Fire Has Occurred (last checked: 2026-05-31)