LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – A lithium-ion battery tossed in with recyclables sparked a fire Friday morning at Rumpke’s recycling facility on West Oak Street, the company said.
Workers spotted a smoldering cardboard bale after it came out of the baler, safely took it apart and found the battery inside.
“Lithium-ion batteries, or rechargeable batteries, should never be placed in trash or recycling containers,” said Bridgett Biggs, area safety manager for Rumpke in a release. “When these batteries are crushed or punctured in a recycling baler or in the back of a garbage truck, they can overheat and ignite within seconds. We’re grateful for our team’s quick response, which likely prevented a more serious incident from occurring.”…