Warning to correctly dispose of vapes, lithium batteries after increase in garbage truck fires

Garbage truck drivers are calling on residents to dispose of lithium batteries correctly after an increase in rubbish fires across Sydney.

Lithium batteries are found within e-waste components such as vapes, phones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, power tools and solar power back-up storage devices.

The disposal of these devices in general waste is sparking fires in trucks across the city daily, putting drivers and the public at risk.

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City of Canterbury-Bankstown garbage truck driver James Whitby said it was quite nerve-racking to drive with "a fire basically behind you".

"You are just trying to go through your mind where can you tip it, how can I get out of the truck," Whitby said.

"It doesn't take long for it to go from a smouldering little fire to a whole load on fire.

"We are here to do a job and pick up garbage bins - next minute our trucks on fire."

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There are hundreds of spots in Sydney where you can recycle batteries for free, including at Bunnings, Woolworths, Aldi, Officeworks and Big W.

The City of Canterbury-Bankstown will launch a campaign next week to explain to residents why it is important to do the right thing.

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