Incorrect battery disposal, likely from products such as vape pens, recently led to three fires in three weeks at the Vermillion landfill in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Keloland News reported.
What’s happening?
Vermillion Fire Chief Matt Callahan is the expert who identified rechargeable batteries as the main culprits behind three small fires at the Vermillion landfill this month.
The fires were put out before they could cause any injuries or significant damage. But the city’s Solid Waste Director, Tim Taggart, told Keloland News that it could easily have gone the other way.
“We were lucky enough to catch them fast enough before they got out of hand,” he said.
Why is it important to dispose of lithium-ion batteries correctly?
Most rechargeable products, and even some disposable electronic items like vapes, have lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are chosen for their efficiency and their ability to be recharged again and again without losing potency…