Four Garbage Truck Fires in Gilbert This Year: Help Prevent the Next One

Gilbert, Ariz. - Gilbert recently experienced its fourth garbage truck fire of the year, a serious incident that highlights the importance of keeping hazardous materials out of household trash bins.

Garbage truck fires put drivers, equipment, and the community at risk. Even small items like batteries or leftover chemicals can spark a blaze once compacted in a truck, which is why proper disposal is so important.

Keep These Items Out of Your Trash Bin

To help prevent fires and protect our sanitation crews, keep the following items out of your trash bin:

• All types of batteries
• Pool chemicals
• Household cleaners
• Paint
• Automotive fluids
• Propane tanks
• Other hazardous materials

These items should be disposed of properly at Gilbert's Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Staff there are trained to safely handle materials that can cause fires, explosions, or contamination if placed in the regular waste stream.

For a full list of accepted items and their address and hours of operation, visit: gilbertaz.gov/HHW.

Fire Pit Season Reminder

With cooler weather and fire pit season upon us, it's also important to handle ashes carefully. Hot ashes can stay warm enough to ignite other materials for hours - or even days.

Before putting ashes in your trash bin:

• Allow them to cool completely for at least 24 hours.
• Place them in a bag, tie it securely, and then dispose of it in your trash bin.

Never place hot ashes, coals, or embers directly into your bin.

Save the Date: Community Drop-Off Event

Can't make it to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility? Gilbert residents will have another opportunity to safely dispose of hazardous and hard-to-recycle materials at a special Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Event.

• Saturday, February 28, 2026
• 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
• Gilbert Public Works | 900 E. Juniper Avenue

This drive-through event will offer convenient drop-off options for household hazardous waste, document shredding, and other materials. More details will be shared as the event approaches.

Keeping Our Crews and Community Safe

Gilbert's Solid Waste & Recycling team works hard every day to keep our community clean and safe. You can help by making sure hazardous items are properly disposed of and by spreading the word to friends and neighbors.

Together, we can help prevent garbage truck fires and keep our drivers and community safe.