WLSSD Reminds Residents to Safely Dispose of Rechargeable Batteries 

WLSSD Reminds Residents to Safely Dispose of Rechargeable Batteries 

DULUTH, MN—Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) reminds residents to follow safe practices when disposing of rechargeable batteries after a residential load of trash caught fire in a Hartel’s Disposal garbage truck while en route to WLSSD’s transfer station on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

A Hartel’s driver noticed a fire in his truck while collecting trash in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood.  The driver observed sparks and smoldering fire coming from the load of waste. They notified authorities and Hartel’s ownership immediately.  The Duluth Fire Department was able to quickly and safely extinguish the flames.  Hartel’s Disposal staff then collected the material for further examination and disposed of the material at the WLSSD transfer station later that day. Further investigation revealed that lithium batteries were the cause of the fire.

The WLSSD transfer station has reported two additional fires caused by improper disposal of lithium batteries in household garbage in the last year.  When batteries come in contact with other materials or batteries in the trash, short circuits can occur that create heat buildup and provide a spark that ignites paper, cardboard, plastics and other trash in the load of waste.  Proper disposal of batteries is critical to keeping our solid waste staff, equipment, and facilities safe.

Rechargeable batteries like Nickel-Cadmium, Nickel-Metal Hydride, Lead-Acid, and Lithium-Ion also contain toxic metals that can threaten public health and the environment when disposed of improperly.

WLSSD’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility accepts hazardous materials (i.e. rechargeable batteries, paint, stain, cleaners) from District residents and businesses (through the Clean Shop Program).  Toxic materials poured down the drain can affect the efficiency of wastewater treatment and eventually reach our local waterways. Hazardous materials in garbage can leach into groundwater from landfills. Help protect the health of people and the environment; use safe disposal services for hazardous waste.

Headquartered in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides award-winning wastewater and solid waste services to residents, businesses and industries within its 530 square mile legislative boundaries in Southern St. Louis and northern Carlton counties, and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention.

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