{"id":68454,"date":"2026-01-20T13:52:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T13:52:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=68454"},"modified":"2026-01-20T14:04:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T14:04:42","slug":"warning-to-residents-after-tank-shell-closes-ivybridge-recycling-centre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/warning-to-residents-after-tank-shell-closes-ivybridge-recycling-centre\/","title":{"rendered":"Warning to residents after tank shell find closes Ivybridge Recycling Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We’re<\/strong> urging residents to take extra care when clearing out sheds, garages and lofts after Ivybridge Recycling Centre was closed and evacuated this morning (Wednesday 20 January) when a tank shell was discovered.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The device was found in the non-recyclable waste container and the person responsible left the site before staff could speak to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a precaution the facility was evacuated and closed for around an hour while Devon & Cornwall Police removed the item safely. No one was injured, and the site has since fully reopened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recycling centres across Devon have previously had to close following the discovery of suspicious or potentially dangerous items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff at other sites have found unexploded ordnance, marine flares, old ammunition, and containers holding unknown chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each time this happens the emergency services have to be called, and it disrupts the public\u2019s use of the facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents are urged to think carefully before taking items to recycling centres, particularly if they are old, unlabelled, or look like they could present a risk.<\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member responsible for waste services said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cOnce again, we\u2019ve had to close a centre because someone has tried to dispose of something that looked suspicious.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese avoidable closures waste the valuable time of emergency services, our staff, and cause inconvenience to the public.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is particularly frustrating given that only last week the discovery World War Two munitions in Exmouth and Plymouth caused evacuations. Given this, why would you think it is okay to put a tank shell in a skip and walk away?<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, if you\u2019re clearing out old belongings, please consider whether an item could be misidentified as hazardous. If there\u2019s any doubt, speak to staff first – don\u2019t just throw it into a bay. Items such as flares, fireworks, or ammunition must never be brought to our recycling centres.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cThis incident highlights how important it is for everyone to be mindful of what they\u2019re bringing to our recycling centres. Even something that appears harmless could pose a serious risk. Caution keeps everybody safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to thank the site staff and police for their swift action.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more information on what can and cannot be accepted at Devon\u2019s Household Waste Recycling Centres, visit:
\nwww.devon.gov.uk\/wasteandrecycling\/centre<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Leader of the Green and Independent Group and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Bio-diversity<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":859,"featured_media":68455,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[34,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-environment-and-climate-change"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":68455,"title":"Copy of hero image for news website 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