This improperly discarded laptop almost caused a fire at Hartland Landfill. When the laptop reached the active face, staff noticed smoke coming from its lithium-ion battery. They quickly responded and extinguished the smouldering battery before it could ignite and spread.
That quick action prevented what could have been a dangerous landfill fire. The laptop should never have been in the garbage in the first place. Like many everyday electronics, it contained a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can catch fire if crushed or punctured. Unfortunately, incidents like this are becoming more common, but the good news is they are preventable.
The hidden fire risk in everyday items
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are found in many of the products we use every day, including:
- Laptops
- Cell phones and tablets
- Power tools
- E-bikes and e-scooters
- Rechargeable toys
- Smartwatches
These batteries are safe when used and stored properly. However, they become dangerous if they're thrown in household garbage or recycling bins. At the landfill or in collection vehicles, batteries can be crushed or punctured by heavy equipment. This can cause them to overheat, smoke and catch fire. Any item that has a rechargeable battery built into it can pose a fire risk if disposed of improperly. Electronic items should never be placed in your household garbage or blue bin, even if they no longer work.
Help prevent fires
- Never put battery-powered items in your household garbage or recycling
- Drop batteries and battery-containing items off for free at the Hartland Depot
- Use What Goes Where to find other drop-off locations near you
Every battery that is disposed of properly helps protect collection workers, landfill staff, emergency responders and the environment.
