Two common household batteries have started fires in bin collection trucks in Wealden.
The district council said the items were responsible for a pair of separate incidents which began when sparks, caused by the batteries, ignited rubbish around them.
One of the incidents was worsened when a mobile phone battery, discarded in ordinary waste, exploded and began a further fire.
In both cases, the council claims, "significant disruption" was caused to normal refuse and recycling collections.
Officials said:
"Batteries and small electrical items of any kind pose a fire risk if placed among ordinary rubbish and recycling."
"In hot weather, the risk is much higher".
They pleaded:
"To help prevent future fires, please place all batteries in a separate bag on top of any bins being collected by waste teams.
"If you can remove batteries from items, please do so.
"Please take any larger electrical items, which don't fit into a bag, to your local household waste and recycling site."
There were no reports of injuries to refuse crews or to the general public.
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