Those of us in the hazmat world have been keen on the hazards of lithium batteries for a while now. With increasing numbers of lithium batteries being improperly disposed of, cities must deal with the consequences.
This summer, Tampa officials reminded residents of the hazards of trashing lithium-ion batteries.
Tampa’s solid waste department has seen a recent trend in “hot loads” during the spring and summer, AKA spontaneous combustions and fires inside trash or recycling trucks.
- Solid waste drivers are forced to quickly dump a load of trash to avoid the fire spreading throughout the truck, as seen in a video shared by the city that was recorded on June 30.
Why it matters: These are caused by overheating lithium-ion batteries, chemicals, cleaning solutions, propane tanks or electronics improperly disposed of in bins.
- “Lithium-ion battery fires produce toxic gas, create an explosive environment, and can be extremely difficult for firefighters to extinguish,” fire chief Barbara Tripp said in a release from the city.
By the numbers: This year, the Tampa Solid Waste Department has experienced three hot load fires in garbage trucks. The department experienced two last year.
- Tampa Fire Rescue responded to over 1,200 trash/dumpster fires last year. According to a city press release, all the fires can be traced to improper disposal.
To assist residents in making responsible waste disposal decisions, the City of Tampa also offers a helpful resource: the Tampa Trash and Recycling app.
This user-friendly app allows individuals to access information on acceptable waste items by using the “waste sort” feature. The city hopes to reduce hot loads and potential hazards associated with improper waste disposal by providing a convenient way to identify proper disposal methods.