An attendant at the Fort Chiswell Recycling Center on Saturday found three improperly discarded blasting caps in one of the station's Dumpsters, Virginia State Police reported.

Police spokesman Sgt. Mike Conroy said the Wythe County center was cleared and that bomb technicians were sent in after the employee reported finding an explosive device in a container designated for bulk items and "e-waste," such as electronic appliances.

"We found two dummy blasting caps, but one was live," Conroy explained. "We believe they could have been used for something like landscaping.

"There was no threat, it just appears that somebody improperly disposed of them."

Conroy said police technicians completely emptied the Dumpster, but found no other such materials.

In order to possess explosives, he said, "You're supposed to have a license and properly dispose of them. You have to make sure you render them safe."

Conroy encouraged others who find or possess potentially dangerous materials to contact state police.

"That's what our technicians are for," he said. "We'll make sure it gets properly disposed of."

-- Neil Harvey