Fire Prevention Week may be over, but safety around lithium-ion batteries is something we should all keep in mind year-round.
From laptops and power tools to cameras and vapes, more and more everyday items are powered by lithium-ion batteries—and while these batteries make our lives easier, they can also be dangerous if damaged or disposed of the wrong way.
Recently, KELO reported that fire departments across South Dakota are warning residents about the risk of “thermal runaway”—a chain reaction inside these batteries that can cause fires or even explosions when they’re crushed, punctured, or exposed to heat.
That’s exactly what can happen if one ends up in your recycling or garbage bin.
When batteries make their way to the recycling facility, they can get damaged by compactors, trucks, or sorting equipment. Even one small spark can quickly ignite nearby materials like paper or plastic, putting recycling workers, drivers, and facilities at serious risk.
To keep everyone safe, please never put lithium-ion batteries—or anything containing them—into your curbside recycling or trash.
✅ What To Do Instead
If you need to get rid of rechargeable batteries or devices that contain them:
- Bring them to the Sioux Falls Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility at 1015 E. Chambers Street.
- You can drop them off for free, Monday through Saturday.
- Learn more about accepted items and hours on the City of Sioux Falls HHW website
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♻️ Let’s Keep Recycling Safe
We appreciate everyone who recycles the right way—it truly makes a difference. But keeping dangerous materials like lithium-ion batteries out of your bin is one of the most important ways you can help protect your collection drivers and the Millennium Recycling team.
Thank you for helping us keep Sioux Falls recycling safe!
The post Keep Lithium-Ion Batteries Out of the Recycling Bin appeared first on Millennium Recycling.
