NEWS
Fires Linked to Rechargeable Batteries in Trash
Screenshot from Mecklenburg County Recycling Social Media (no photo credit listed)
Mecklenburg County Recycling asks residents to stop throwing away rechargeable batteries! Please.
Monday, a battery caused a fire at the county's Foxhole Landfill in South Charlotte. Huntersville Fire Department says that same day, a rechargeable battery from a vacuum cleaner may have caused a fire inside a trash truck.
Rechargeable batteries are easily damaged in a trash truck and landfill when everything is compacted. As soon as one of these batteries is damaged, the fire risk skyrockets. These batteries are in every day things - phones, smart watches, tablets and laptops, vacuums, toys, and power tools.
Here’s what you can do:
- Take your battery, device, etc. to any full-service center. We have four in the County. It’s FREE to drop them off!
- Tell your friends, family, coworkers, whoever so everyone’s aware of the danger.
- Keep an eye on your batteries. If they overheat or won’t keep a charge, it’s time to get rid of them… at a full-service center.
You can learn more here: https://meck.co/4cRjItH