The Arlington County Fire Department is sounding the alarm on the hazards of carelessly disposing of rechargeable batteries.
A live demonstration highlighting the dangerous potential of punctured rechargeable batteries and overcharged e-bikes is scheduled to take place later today (Thursday) in Montgomery Village, Maryland. Arlington Chief Fire Marshal Matthew Cobb is joining officials from D.C. and Montgomery County in this vivid installment of a four-week education program led by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).
“Our partners at the Fire & Risk Alliance will be assisting as we demonstrate the fire resulting from a punctured battery in a waste bin as well as an overcharged e-bike,” COG spokesperson Lindsay Martin told ARLnow in an email.
The Go Recycle campaign is a response to an increase in fires, primarily occurring in garbage trucks and at trash and recycling centers, caused by the improper disposal of rechargeable batteries from devices such as children’s toys, e-cigarettes, electronic toothbrushes and smoke detectors, in household trash, according to the COG website.
“These fires cost millions of dollars in physical damage each year and put lives in danger,” the website states.
Arlington recorded four fires in 2023 that were directly caused by lithium ion batteries, ACFD Battalion Chief Justin Tirelli said. No incidents have been reported this year so far.
Alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V can typically be discarded in household trash in many areas. However, rechargeable batteries, including NiCd, NiMh, lithium-ion, button, and batteries greater than 9-volt, should be taken to a drop-off site and recycled, COG says.
Below is a list of designated battery disposal sites in Arlington County.
- Fire Station 1: Glebe Road
- Fire Station 2: Ballston
- Fire Station 4: Clarendon
- Fire Station 9: Walter Reed
- Fire Station 10: Rosslyn
COG’s Go Recycle website offers the following tips for safe disposal.
- Do not throw away batteries in trash or recycling bins. Batteries can overheat or get punctured or crushed causing them to explode which causes trash fires that endanger workers.
- Rechargeable batteries NiCd, NiMh, Lithium-Ion, Button, and batteries greater than 9-volt must be taken to a drop-off site.
- Small “button cell” batteries, which are found in wristwatches, hearing aids and calculators, contain silver oxide and mercury and must be recycled. If you have this type of battery replaced by a professional retailer, they will usually recycle the old one for you.
- The safest methods of transporting rechargeable batteries are to place each battery individually into a clear plastic bag or taping the ends with masking tape.
Additionally, people are advised not to carry batteries in a pocket or containers that also has metal objects like coins and keys, to avoid short circuits.