Oswego County Reminds Residents of Safe Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Department of Solid Waste reports that there was a fire at its Hastings Transfer Station on Thursday, May 14. Officials report that there were no injuries or significant structural damage. While the investigation is ongoing, it is suspected the fire was caused by improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries. Oswego County officials offer lithium-ion battery safety tips and urge residents to practice safe disposal.

“Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere in modern life, from our phones and laptops to electric vehicles and power tools,” said Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup, District 9. “As much as we rely on these devices every day, it’s just as important to recycle and dispose of them safely to help protect our communities and the environment.”

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in cell phones, laptops, cameras, tablets, e-scooters, hoverboards, GPS devices and more. Electronics containing them should be brought to a specialized recycling facility to prevent safety risks. When lithium-ion batteries are crushed or damaged, “thermal runaway” may occur, where the batteries overheat, ignite and burn everything in contact with them.

“Lithium-ion batteries should never be placed in household trash or recycling bins because they can become damaged during collection and sorting, creating serious fire hazards in trucks and facilities,” said Oswego County Director of Solid Waste Michael Lutestanski. “Lithium battery fires can occur immediately after damage or be delayed hours or days later depending on the type of damage and how charged the battery is. Proper battery recycling protects workers, prevents fires and ensures valuable materials are safely recovered instead of ending up in landfills.”

The Oswego County Household Hazardous Waste facility and transfer stations do not accept lithium-ion batteries. They can be recycled at the point of purchase, including stores such as Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target and Walmart. Look for collection boxes at participating retailers or go to www.call2recycle.org/locator to find one near you. You can also visit Battery Recyclers of America to schedule a pick-up for lithium-ion batteries.

If you’re not sure what type of battery you have, view a battery identification guide. You can prepare your batteries for safe recycling by individually bagging each battery in zip-seal bags or taping the positive end (terminal) using clear packing tape, electrical tape or duct tape.

Electronics containing lithium-ion batteries also pose fire risks in the home.

“Lithium-ion battery fires can ignite without warning, burn hotter and faster than traditional fires, and are extremely difficult to extinguish,” said Oswego County Fire Coordinator Shane Laws. “At home, lithium-ion batteries should always be charged with approved equipment, kept off beds or couches and stored away from heat or impact. If a battery swells, overheats or seems unusual, stop using it immediately. Safe habits with batteries help prevent dangerous fires before they begin.”

Follow these tips from the New York State Department of Consumer Protection and New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services to ensure lithium-ion battery safety in your home:

• When purchasing an item that contains a lithium-ion battery, always buy from reputable manufactures and vendors. Look for safety marks from a nationally recognized certification laboratory on the product, its packaging or within the product details when shopping online. Be sure to check for recalls before making your purchase.
• Always charge, store and use your devices according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Never disassemble or modify the device’s battery, as this significantly increases the risk of explosion.
• Only use the charger that came with your device. If a new charger is necessary, make sure that the replacement is approved by the device manufacturer.
• Never leave any lithium-ion powered devices unattended while charging, as this may result in overcharging your device. When overcharged, lithium-ion batteries may overheat, explode and catch fire.
• Always charge your device in a safe place. Avoid charging devices while you’re sleeping, and do not place them under your pillow, bed or on a couch while charging. For e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards, do not charge them near the front door, as this could prevent you from leaving your home in the case of a fire. Charge these devices in a flat, dry area away from children, direct sunlight, liquids, tripping hazards, and in a location where the device is not at risk of falling. Store devices in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
• Be sure to check your devices and batteries for damage regularly. Signs of a failing lithium-ion battery include the device being extremely hot to touch; swelling, bulging or leaking; odors; and hissing, cracking or popping sounds. If your device is smoking, a fire may have already started. In the event of a fire, go outside to a safe place and call 911.

      The Hastings Transfer Station has been temporarily closed since May 11 due to maintenance.

For more information on battery safety, visit the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services at https://www.dhses.ny.gov/battery-safety.

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