Rumpke offers battery disposal safety tips

Rumpke wants to remind everyone about proper battery storage and disposal, specifically lithium-ion batteries. Battery-related fires pose a significant and unnecessary safety risk to waste management employees and first responders.

Lithium-ion batteries power rechargeable devices like cell phones, power tools and laptops. The chemicals within the batteries are highly flammable and are considered hazardous household waste.

During transportation or processing, used batteries can explode and create destructive fires. In 2023, Rumpke faced 98 battery fires at its recycling facilities and 75 truckload fires.

The easiest way to prevent battery-related fires is to avoid putting used batteries or electronics into your trash or curbside recycling bin. Instead, collect your “dead” batteries and take them to a designated drop-off location.

To locate the nearest hazardous waste drop-off location, visit call2recycle.org, search.earth911.com or your local solid waste district website.

Prevent battery-related fires at home by storing batteries in a non-conductive container or original packaging, keep them away from humidity and extreme temperatures and avoid mixing new and old batteries.

Following these tips can keep our communities and environment safe. ∞