Jayplas could not have done more to prevent fire

A fire that swept through the Jayplas plastics recycling depot in Smethwick last month (June 30) caused an estimated 6 million worth of damage, the company has confirmed.

The blaze, caused by a Chinese lantern floating on to the site, destroyed around 10,000 tonnes of low-density polyethlene bales. It was described as one of the largest fires ever seen in the West Midlands (see letsrecycle.com story).

Jayplas operations director Mike Maxwell told letsrecycle.com the fire had been a tragic incident for the company, but hoped the site would be operational again by November.

He said: I would like to thank the Environment Agency and the fire brigade again for their help at this time, and our neighbours who have been understanding. We are now in the process of working closely with the Environment Agency and we will agree a plan together.

From a legislative point of view I do not know how we could do more to prevent such fires. Jayplas have been praised for our organisational and operational skills by the fire service who visited the site and the materials were stacked as they have always been stacked. It is clear we could not have done anything more.

Jay & Young have always prided themselves on the operation they run. We will get over this.

When asked whether calls to ban Chinese lanterns in the wake of the incident were justified Mr Maxwell added he would not object to restrictions on their use.

Review

The revelations follow an announcement by the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) that safety guidance at waste transfer and recycling sites is to be reviewed following a spate of large fires across the industry over the past month.

After a flare-up at the Smethwick blaze on July 4, a West Midlands Fire Service spokesman told letsrecycle.com that it had dealt with around 15 serious fires in the waste and recycling industry so far this year (see letsrecycle story).

Meanwhile, 60 firefighters were deployed to tackle a blaze at SWEEEP Kuusakoskis WEEE recycling facility in Sittingbourne, Kent on July 7 (see letsrecycle story).

The CFOA said that in an effort to reduce the potential for such fires to occur it is engaged in discussions with partners such as the Environment Agency and the Wood & Tyre Recycling Association in order to examine fire incidents and review existing guidance.

The association also explained it would also be working with waste and recycling site operators to improve safety and lobby government for changes, including legislation where necessary.

The CFOA said: Over recent years fire and rescue services in the UK have attended an increasing number of fires at waste management sites that process a diverse range of materials such as imported pulverised plastic car parts, baled recycled plastic, power station fuel (for export), waste oil, pulverised organic matter and electrical equipment. These fires can sometimes burn for days and even weeks and involve the commitment of significant firefighting resources.

Roy Wilsher, operations director for CFOA added: The recent fires in the West Midlands and Kent serve as a stark reminder to us all of the fire risk associated with waste and recycling sites. In 2012 there were over 300 fires at such sites many of which require a huge effort from the local fire and rescue service to contain the fire, a number of which can burn for days or weeks.