( WJET/WFXP )– After a fire broke out in the Chautauqua County Landfill earlier this month thanks to a rechargeable battery, officials are reminding the public on how to properly dispose of them.
Chautauqua County officials said the fire broke out on Nov. 3 and was quickly contained but highlighted the need for proper battery disposal to prevent more fires.
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The county said landfill fires are often started by improperly discarded rechargeable batteries and pose a threat to waste facility employees, the environment, and general public safety along with potentially causing service delays.
“Rechargeable batteries, especially Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs), can cause fires in waste facilities if they’re thrown out with regular trash,” said Aaron Gustafson, Landfill Manager and Deputy Director of Public Facilities. “Our landfill team has been working hard to keep these fires
contained, but we need the public’s help to make sure batteries are disposed of safely to avoid putting lives at risk. This issue extends beyond waste management—many residential fires in Chautauqua County have also been caused by rechargeable batteries, underscoring the importance of proper use, storage, and disposal in homes to ensure safety.”