Today, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) officially launched a public education campaign to elevate a regional and national increase in fire incidents related to the improper disposal of batteries.
At the launch, guests witnessed a live demonstration led by Montgomery County Battalion Chief, Ivan Browning, who showed how quickly a heated or punctured battery could ignite and result in fire. The demonstration and launch event were held at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy.
“Incidents involving fires at solid waste facilities are seeing an uptick and are directly attributed to the incorrect disposal of batteries,” said COG Board Chair and Montgomery County Councilmember Kate Stewart. “You simply cannot throw them away in the kitchen trash can or any trash can.”
Stewart was on hand with other regional officials to support the campaign and encouraged residents to educate themselves on the correct way to dispose of batteries.
COG and regional leadership including solid waste experts are urging residents and business owners to visit the GoRecycle.org website for jurisdictional information on the proper way to dispose of batteries. Several area jurisdictions and local private waste haulers partnered with COG to develop tips and other public education materials for the campaign.
“We need you to manage and dispose of your lithium, lithium-ion, and all other types of batteries properly. There are many options available for residents and businesses to properly dispose of batteries,” stated Erik Grabowsky, Arlington County Solid Waste Bureau Chief. “With your help, we can continue to safeguard the regions’ solid waste management infrastructure and continue to provide safe trash and recycling collection services.”
The improper disposal of batteries, particularly lithium-ion and other forms of rechargeable batteries, present a significant fire risk when processed through regular waste and recycling facilities. Incidents of fire on trash and recycling collection trucks and at trash and recycling processing facilities continue to trend upward.
In July of 2021, the US Environmental Protection Agency released a report titled “An Analysis of Lithium-ion Battery Fires in Waste Management and Recycling.” The report found that between 2013 and 2020, 64 waste facilities across the country had experienced 245 fires causing injuries, emergency service responses, service disruptions, and monetary loss.
In some cases, the fires were severe enough to destroy entire facilities, causing millions of dollars in damages and severe impacts to the local solid waste management system. Closer to home, the region has experienced trash fires in collection trucks, transfer stations, recycling facilities, and disposal facilities.
The four-week campaign, which is being promoted via local radio stations and in digital ads and social media promotions, began earlier in the week.
More: For more information on battery management, including jurisdiction-specific guidance, visit GoRecycle.org.