Three fires at the Emterra Recycling Plant in Kamloops in recent weeks have prompted the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), the City of Kamloops, and Recycle BC to warn residents that batteries of any kind do not belong in garbage or recycling carts, as they can pose a serious risk to workers and machinery.
“Batteries and electronics are a fire hazard,” says Tolly Anto, Emterra Plant Manager. “Recently, batteries started smouldering at our recycling facility, posing a significant safety risk to our team and our community. Fortunately, staff were able to identify and remove the batteries before serious damage occurred, but it’s a dangerous situation that happens much too often.”
Rechargeable batteries, otherwise known as lithium-ion batteries, are found in a range of common household items, such as smart watches, laptops and tablets, cell phones, power tools, gaming consoles, baby monitors, and vaping pens.
Placing hazardous materials such as batteries of any type in garbage or recycling bins can cause explosions and fires, and can potentially injure or kill workers at waste disposal and recycling sites. Because of this risk, people are urged to dispose of batteries of all types safely, by taking them to a site where they can be handled, and disposed of, properly.
Even tiny batteries can pose a big risk. Hearing aids, for example, contain tiny lithium-ion batteries that could cause serious damage if disposed of improperly. They are highly reactive and can spontaneously ignite.
“If these items end up in curbside carts, they could potentially catch fire in the cart, the collection truck, or at the recycling plant,” says Marcia Dick, City of Kamloops Solid Waste Reduction Coordinator. “These are all highly dangerous scenarios for anyone involved, whether a homeowner, truck operator, or staff at the recycling plant or landfill.
“We are reminding residents that their actions can help contribute to safety in our community. We urge people to recycle their batteries at one of the many convenient locations to do so.”
When a rechargeable battery — or an electronic item containing a rechargeable battery — reaches the end of its life, you can recycle the battery or the entire item for free at numerous locations, including many TNRD Eco-Depots and Transfer Stations. Household batteries are also accepted free of charge at 27 TNRD solid waste facilities around the region. For more information, go to https://www.tnrd.ca/services/garbage-recycling/.
