Vaud lawmakers demand action after fourth recycling fire

Three members of Vaud’s cantonal parliament are calling on the government to take action after a fire at a recycling company in Ecublens caused widespread disruption, SRF reported, citing RTS.

The blaze at the end of August produced heavy smoke, closed a motorway, disrupted rail services and led to the cancellation of a triathlon. Authorities also issued warnings about consuming locally produced fruit, vegetables and eggs, particularly in western Lausanne.

Green Liberal Party lawmaker Jerome De Benedictis said the incident was dramatic and that residents no longer wanted such events to happen. He called for the waste delivered to recycling companies to be as clean as possible.

Discontent has grown as fires at recycling companies, often caused by lithium batteries, have become more frequent in recent years. Ecublens has recorded four such fires since 2013.

Fellow lawmaker Pierre Kaelin of the FDP said current measures were not sufficient. He said the aim was not to force the recycling company to leave, but to introduce measures that would make coexistence possible.

Vassilis Venizelos, the Green state councillor responsible for the environment and security, said the latest fire raised a broader issue. Everyday objects contain lithium-ion batteries that require special treatment, he said, creating a recycling chain that carries risks and affects the surrounding area.

Venizelos called for action at every level. He said all cantons were affected and described the issue as European, if not global. National safety standards should be reviewed, while cantonal authorities should address reuse rates and inform the public so that this waste reaches the correct recycling channels, he said.

The government is expected to provide the lawmakers with more detailed answers in the coming months.