There has been a recent uptick in garbage truck related incidents in Mesa over the last 30 days caused by the placement of household hazardous materials in trash and recycle containers.

The first incident involved the placement of muriatic pool acid bottles in a load of trash. Hazardous fumes were released, and staff had to seek immediate medical attention, according to a release.

In a second incident, pool and paint chemicals ignited a garbage truck fire.

A second garbage truck fire was caused by rechargeable lithium batteries placed in a recycle barrel.

And most recently, a third garbage truck caught on fire on May 2. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the release states.

Mesa residents are asked to keep hazardous materials out of their trash and recycle containers. The city of Mesa operates a Household Hazardous Materials Facility at 2412 N. Center St. Building No. 2 and encourages Mesa residents to bring their materials to this facility for safe disposal. There is no additional cost to Mesa residents to use this facility that is open 7 a.m.-noon Wednesday-Saturday. For information, email hhm.info@mesaaz.gov.

Mesa businesses should contact a private hazardous waste disposal company for available options.