Recently, waste sites across Mecklenburg County experienced a total of four fires in a week, with the cause attributed to improperly disposed of lithium-ion batteries. The Materials Recovery Facility on Amble Drive witnessed two fires, including one sparked by a crushed medical gear, while a second site, Foxhole Landfill, saw two separate incidents.
Risks of Improper Battery Disposal
- They blend in with recycling materials, making them difficult to identify
- Can cause fires even if they are not visibly damaged or exposed to air
- May smolder for days without being detected
Jeff Smithberger, Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Director, stated to WSOC-TV, “They blend in. They are generally gray or black in color. They look like the rest of the recycling materials that come to us.”
Incidents at Mecklenburg County Sites
- Materials Recovery Facility on Amble Drive: two fires
- Foxhole Landfill: two separate incidents, including a car battery and an iPad
- Paper storage section at Foxhole Landfill: full site evacuation due to a fire
The first incident at Foxhole Landfill occurred at 11:45 a.m. when a massive car battery sparked a fire. Hours later, a staff member attempted to destroy an iPad to protect private data, which resulted in another emergency. A fourth blaze forced a full site evacuation at the paper storage area, which was eventually brought under control after fire crews intervened.
According to Smithberger, these incidents are a result of the fact that heat sensors do not always catch problems. “It’s dangerous, and we want people to understand those inherent dangers and to just take care of them the right way the first time so that we don’t have to worry about this,” he said.
Safe Disposal Methods
“The county runs four special centers for safe disposal of old batteries. Never mix them with regular trash or recycling.” – Jeff Smithberger, Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Director
These power cells can be found in everyday items, such as phones, tablets, tools, and vehicles. When damaged or exposed to air, they can burst into flames without warning. To dispose of old batteries safely, residents can visit one of the county’s four special centers.
The first Monday crisis struck at 11:45 a.m. at the Materials Recovery Facility. Three workers fought to extinguish the flames, while by mid-afternoon, a fire blanket was used to stop the iPad incident. A loader operator spotted a burning device later that evening, bringing a fourth scare.
The latest incident occurred at the paper storage section, which was eventually brought under control after fire crews intervened. Water was released from triggered sprinklers, and work was halted for four hours.
Prevention is Key
Residents are encouraged to take care of their old batteries properly and to never mix them with regular trash or recycling. By doing so, they can help prevent these types of incidents from occurring in the future.
Check the county’s waste site or ask staff directly about proper battery disposal methods.
