An electrical motor may have started a fire in a garbage truck at Trafalgar on Tuesday morning.
Trafalgar Fire Brigade helped extinguish the fire, praising the quick thinking driver who dumped the load at the recreation reserve.
Baw Baw Shire community infrastructure director Ben Wood reported extensive damage to a new garbage truck, that was integrated into council's fleet this year.
He said the SOLO Resource Recovery waste collection vehicle caught fire whilst collecting mixed recycling bins in the Trafalgar area.
"An electrical motor was found in the recovered material and is thought to be the cause of the fire," Mr Wood said. "For the safety of the driver, residents and protection of the waste truck, the load was off loaded at the Trafalgar Recreation Reserve, where the fire was successfully extinguished by the combined efforts of the Trafalgar CFA Fire Brigade, SOLO Resource Recovery and Baw Baw Shire Council staff."
He said the incident was a reminder for residents that batteries and e-waste must not be placed in any kerbside bins.
This sentiment was echoed by the Trafalgar Fire Brigade who stated a significant number of rubbish fires were caused by improperly disposed batteries.
To keep the community safe and reduce the fire risk for garbage trucks and processing facilities, residents are urged to dispose of e-waste and batteries - including car batteries - at one of council's four tips.
Mr Wood said the disposal service was offered free of charge at Lardner, Erica, Trafalgar and Neerim South transfer stations.
He said small e-waste items and household batteries could also be deposited at no charge to council's customer service centre in Drouin.
The fire brigade added Bunnings and Aldi as designated collection points.
"Let's all do our part to keep our community safe," the brigade said. "Stay safe and dispose of batteries responsibly."